Keely Hodgkinson Breaks 23-Year Indoor 800m World Record in France on Feb 19, 2026

Keely Hodgkinson ran the 800m in 1:54.87, beating a record that stood for 23 years. This is much faster than the old record.
By Newsroom | Sports, Athletics |

Keely Hodgkinson has achieved a historic feat in athletics, breaking the women's indoor 800m world record. The British runner set a new benchmark of 1:54.87 in Liévin, France, surpassing a record that had stood for nearly 24 years. This achievement marks a significant moment for Hodgkinson, an Olympic champion, and underscores her prominent standing in middle-distance running.

The new record was set on February 19, 2026, at a European Athletics event. Hodgkinson's performance was widely reported, with multiple sources detailing the event and its historical significance. The previous record of 1:55.82 was held by Jolanda Ceplak and was set on the exact day Hodgkinson was born.

How Hodgkinson broke a 23-year-old world record - 1

A Long-Awaited Achievement

Hodgkinson had openly expressed her intention to break this record, and her successful attempt has drawn considerable attention. Her preparation for this moment involved years of dedication, and she conveyed a sense of relief and joy after the race.

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  • Hodgkinson stated she had been "preparing for this moment for years."

  • She reportedly said, "what if I can't smile?" prior to the event, indicating the pressure and focus.

  • After the race, she expressed relief, saying she was "relieved to finally get it done."

The Race in Liévin

The event in Liévin saw Hodgkinson compete against a strong field, including notable athletes such as Tsige Duguma of Ethiopia and Audrey Werro of Switzerland. Hodgkinson's pace was remarkable from the start.

How Hodgkinson broke a 23-year-old world record - 2

  • She passed the 400-meter mark in under 56 seconds.

  • Her split times indicate a consistent and powerful performance throughout the race.

  • Werro finished second with a time of 1:58.38, and Duguma was third in 1:58.83.

Previous Setbacks and Current Form

This record-breaking performance comes after a period where Hodgkinson had to manage injuries and other challenges.

  • She had previously intended to break the record at the "Keely Klassic" in Birmingham but suffered a hamstring tweak.

  • Further issues with her hamstring and back arose after an event involving an eight-hour trip to Windsor Castle to collect an MBE.

  • Despite these setbacks, Hodgkinson has demonstrated strong form, including running a world-leading 1:54.74 outdoors in Chorzow, Poland, and a time of 1:56.33 at the British Indoor Championships shortly before her record run.

Context of the Record

The indoor 800m world record has a history, and Hodgkinson's new mark is significant in that lineage. The previous record was considered by some to be "tainted," though specific details regarding this aspect were not extensively elaborated upon in the provided summaries, beyond a mention of past suspensions related to the previous record holder, who is not Hodgkinson.

How Hodgkinson broke a 23-year-old world record - 3

  • The previous record stood for nearly 24 years.

  • Hodgkinson's new time is considered by some sources to be her second-quickest ever, when compared to her outdoor performances.

  • Her personal best outdoors is 1:54.74, which places her sixth on the all-time outdoor list.

Future Prospects

With this new world record, Hodgkinson is now setting her sights on future competitions, including the World Athletics Indoor Championships and potentially challenging outdoor world records.

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  • Her immediate focus is the World Athletics Indoor Championships next month.

  • She is also considering an attempt on Jarmila Kratochvílová's outdoor world record of 1:53.28, which has stood for over four decades.

Expert Analysis

While specific expert quotes were not provided in the source material, the consistent reporting across multiple outlets highlights the magnitude of Hodgkinson's achievement. Her ability to perform under pressure and overcome past obstacles has been a recurring theme in discussions surrounding her career.

Conclusion

Keely Hodgkinson's new indoor 800m world record of 1:54.87 is a testament to her athletic prowess and resilience. By breaking a record that had stood for nearly 24 years, she has cemented her place in athletics history. Her journey, marked by dedication and overcoming challenges, culminates in this significant global achievement. Hodgkinson's focus now shifts to upcoming championships and potential further record-breaking attempts, indicating a promising future in the sport.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What new world record did Keely Hodgkinson set on February 19, 2026?
Keely Hodgkinson broke the women's indoor 800m world record with a time of 1 minute and 54.87 seconds. She set this new record in Liévin, France. This is a historic achievement for her and British athletics.
Q: How long did the previous indoor 800m world record last?
The previous indoor 800m world record, held by Jolanda Ceplak, stood for almost 24 years. Hodgkinson's new record of 1:54.87 replaces the old time of 1:55.82.
Q: What challenges did Keely Hodgkinson face before breaking the record?
Before breaking the world record, Keely Hodgkinson dealt with hamstring and back injuries. She also had to travel for an event to receive an MBE. These problems made her training difficult but she still performed well.
Q: Who were Keely Hodgkinson's main competitors in the race?
In the race in Liévin, France, Keely Hodgkinson competed against strong athletes. Her main rivals included Tsige Duguma from Ethiopia and Audrey Werro from Switzerland. Hodgkinson won the race with her record time.
Q: What are Keely Hodgkinson's next goals after breaking the world record?
After setting the new indoor 800m world record, Keely Hodgkinson is looking towards future events. Her immediate focus is the World Athletics Indoor Championships. She is also thinking about trying to break the outdoor world record.