Hodgkinson smashes British short track 800m

Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson got her 2026 campaign underway with a stunning world-leading run of 1:56.33 to win her 800m heat at the UK Indoor Championships in Birmingham yesterday.

The world bronze medallist, competing for the first time since October last year, was using this weekend as a tune-up ahead of her appearance at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting in Lievin next week, where she’s targeting an even faster time.

Running solo, Hodgkinson passed through 200m in 27.36 and reached half-way in 56.28. She maintained that pace through 600m (1:26.11) and continued stretching away to win in 1:56.33.

She took almost a second off her own British short track record (1:57.18) and moved to third on the world short track all-time list.

“I’m in really good shape at the moment and I’ve seen in training I am,” said Hodgkinson, who had a delayed start to her 2025 season due to injury. “We have some high hopes for the next couple of weeks for the indoors.

“I’ve had my healthiest winter for years. I’m not taking any of it for granted to be honest. It was so frustrating being on the sidelines for such a long time. I’m just happy to be able to do an indoor season and have nothing holding me back.”

Elsewhere in Birmingham, Dina Asher-Smith was a clear winner of the women’s 60m, clocking a championship record of 7.05 – just 0.02 behind her own British record. World 200m silver medallist Amy Hunt was second in 7.15.

World indoor champion Jeremiah Azu took the men’s title in 6.56.

Molly Caudery, the 2024 world indoor champion, opened her season by winning the women’s pole vault with 4.65m.

Ngetich and Korir victorious in Eldoret

Meanwhile, Kenya’s Agnes Ngetich and Benson Korir claimed convincing victories at the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country meeting in Eldoret.

Fresh from her title-winning performance at the World Cross Country Championships, Ngetich dominated the women’s race from the early stages to secure a decisive victory, while Korir produced a strong late surge to win a closely contested men’s race.

Ngetich had said at the pre-event press conference at the World Cross was just the beginning of her season, and here – in front of her home fans – she produced an even more dominant display than her one in Tallahassee, winning by one minute and 14 seconds.

Ngetich moved straight to the front from the opening bend and was followed only by world cross-country silver medallist Joy Cheptoyek through the first kilometre. By the end of the first lap of the 2km loop, Ngetich already held a 12-second lead, while Faith Cherono and Daisilah Cherono had moved ahead of Cheptoyek. Her advantage had grown to 35 seconds by 4km, with Mercy Chepkemoi moving into second place.

As Agnes Ngetich continued to extend her lead, Catherine Reline worked her way into third by the 6km mark. The order remained unchanged through the closing stages, Ngetich crossing the finish line in 32:28. Chepkemoi finished second in 33:42, ahead of Reline (33:51) and Cheptoyek (34:07).

“It’s just like last time,” said Ngetich. “The climate was the same, and I loved the atmosphere. Everyone was cheering me on and it gave me motivation. I wasn’t feeling lonely because the fans were everywhere.

“About the World Cross Country Championships, I had waited for that medal for a long time and I appreciate it a lot. Cross country is something I’ve loved since I was young.”

The men’s race was competitive from the start, with a large lead group remaining together through the early stages. At one point, Daniel Ebenyo and Korir shared a water bottle while running side by side.

Eight athletes were still together at 6km, but as they approached 8km, Korir launched a decisive surge. The field stretched into single file as he pulled clear.

Korir crossed the finish line in 29:44, raising his arms in celebration. Amos Kiprotich and Silas Senchura followed in 29:46, finishing second and third respectively. Defending champion Ebenyo faded on the final lap to place fifth in 29:57.

“I’m feeling good and I came here to see how my shape is,” said Korir. “My target is the Boston Marathon, and this race helped me see how my body would respond. This is my first cross-country race and I’m happy to win.”

Conditions in Eldoret were warm and sunny, typical for February, with large crowds lining the course throughout the day. A light breeze occasionally provided some relief from the heat, while cloud cover arrived only during the final lap of the senior men’s race.

Naomi Korir won the senior women’s 2km race in 6:42 after catching the leaders in the final kilometre. World 1500m bronze medallist Reynold Cheruiyot successfully defended his title in the men’s 2km race, winning in 5:52 ahead of Munguti Kyumbe (5:53), Timothy Cheruiyot (5:54) and Emmanuel Wanyonyi (5:55).