Keely Hodgkinson Shatters Women's Indoor 800m World Record in Liévin with Stunning 1:54.87 Run

keely hodgkinson broke the women's indoor 800m world record in Liévin, France, stopping the clock at one minute 54. 87 seconds — a performance that shaved almost a full second off a near 24-year-old standard. The reigning Olympic champion's mark immediately rewrites the indoor history books and reshapes the early-season narrative for middle-distance racing.

Keely Hodgkinson's Liévin performance: split-by-split race dynamics

The record bid unfolded under ideal conditions, with pacing and race management deliberately set up for a fast time. Wavelights were configured with benchmarks aimed at a 1: 53. 80 overall and a halfway split target just under 56 seconds. Hodgkinson followed the designated pacemaker through 200m in 26. 47 seconds and reached 400m in 55. 56 seconds before taking the race on alone over the final laps. Her three-quarter split was recorded at 1: 25. 06, and she accelerated to the finish to record the new world indoor standard.

The previous indoor best stood at 1: 55. 82 and had been in place since 2002; Hodgkinson reduced that margin by nearly a second. The run capped a rapid start to the indoor season for the Olympic champion, who had already produced a strong time at the UK indoor championships the previous weekend.

Race context and immediate aftermath for Keely Hodgkinson

keely hodgkinson began her indoor season with a notable 1: 56. 33 at the UK indoor championships, a performance achieved without pacemakers or wavelights that moved her high on the all-time list. Rather than being a fluke, the Liévin effort was a targeted attempt with all the tools in place and the support of a competitive field.

Hodgkinson celebrated visibly at the finish, applauding the crowd and receiving congratulations from rivals and her coaching team. She was met on the track by her coaches, Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows, and by training partner Georgia Hunter-Bell, who herself had enjoyed victory earlier in the evening. Hodgkinson then sought out her family and took a selfie to mark the milestone.

The win in Liévin signals more than a single result: it is a statement about Hodgkinson's form and preparation after a season that included careful race selection and management. The precision of the pacing plan and her ability to maintain tempo through the third lap were decisive elements in lowering the longstanding mark.

Implications and what comes next

This record repositions Hodgkinson among the all-time indoor greats and sets a clear trajectory for the indoor season's priorities. With the indoor world record now in her name, attention will shift to how she builds on this performance in upcoming championship targets. The Liévin run also deepens the conversation about time-oriented objectives for the year and how those intersect with championship ambitions.

• New women's indoor 800m world record: 1: 54. 87 in Liévin, France.
• Previous long-standing mark: 1: 55. 82.
• Key race splits: 200m 26. 47s, 400m 55. 56s, 3/4 1: 25. 06.
• Season build: 1: 56. 33 at the UK indoor championships prior to the record.

Recent developments indicate this moment is a planned escalation of Hodgkinson's early-season form rather than an isolated flash. Details may evolve as the athlete outlines immediate racing plans and next championship targets, but the Liévin performance stands as a definitive early-season high point for the 800m.