Keely Hodgkinson Smashes Indoor 800m World Record — and Now Sets Her Sights on Jarmila Kratochvilova's 43-Year-Old Outdoor Mark

Great Britain's Keely Hodgkinson delivered one of the most stunning performances in middle-distance history on Thursday, February 19, 2026, obliterating the women's indoor 800m world record in Liévin, France — and immediately made clear that the sport's most untouchable record, Jarmila Kratochvilova's 1:53.28 outdoor mark from 1983, is now firmly in her crosshairs.

The World Record Run: 1:54.87 in Liévin

Great Britain's Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson smashed the longstanding women's indoor 800-meter world record, running 1:54.87 in Liévin, France, in the final event of the Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais Trophée EDF. The 23-year-old took almost a second off the previous record of 1:55.82, set by Slovenia's Jolanda Čeplak in 2002; Čeplak tested positive for EPO five years later.

The pace lights were set to an aggressive 1:53.8 — two seconds faster than any woman had ever run indoors — and Hodgkinson went out even faster than planned, running her first 200 in 26.80 to get the lead.

Hodgkinson followed the pacemaker for the first half, went through 200m in 26.83 and 400m in 56.00. Switzerland's Audrey Werro, the 2025 Diamond League champion, tried to go with her, but Hodgkinson extended her lead with every step. Werro faded dramatically to 1:58.38, more than three seconds behind.

Hodgkinson said after the race: "I wasn't just here to break the record, I absolutely wanted to smash it. It's incredible that the world record stood for almost 24 years. It stood so long and I know that a lot of people wanted it, so I am proud that I am the one who could break it."

The Extraordinary Coincidence: Record Set on Her Birthday

Hodgkinson took down the women's world indoor 800 metres record which had stood since the day she was born, on March 3rd, 2002, just days before her 24th birthday. It is one of the most remarkable biographical footnotes in athletics history — the champion breaking a record that was set the very day she entered the world.

Race Splits and Record Breakdown

Hodgkinson's performance is just 0.26 shy of her outdoor personal best. It is the 15th fastest 800m run in history in any conditions, indoors or out.

The Road Back: Injury, Bronze, and the WR Target

Hodgkinson initially intended to target the indoor 800m record at the Keely Klassic in Birmingham in February 2025, only to call it off due to a hamstring injury that persisted for months, meaning she only competed in four meets last year. She still managed to run 1:54.91 for the bronze medal at the World Championships in September, and has since had the healthiest and most productive winter of her professional career.

After a dry run of 1:56.33 at the British Indoor Championships the week prior, she knew the world record was there for the taking in Liévin.

What's Next: Kratochvilova's 1:53.28 Is Now the Target

Hodgkinson has been unambiguous about what comes next. After her Liévin performance she stated: "I think this is the closest I've felt near it. I do really believe that we can break it, but a lot of things have got to come together."

Next on her radar will be Jarmila Kratochvilova's outdoor world record of 1:53.28, which was set back in 1983.

Who Is Jarmila Kratochvilova? The Woman Behind the 43-Year Record

Jarmila Kratochvílová, born January 26, 1951, is a Czechoslovak former track and field athlete. In July 1983, she broke the 800m world record in the Olympic Stadium in Munich with a time of 1:53.28. Her 800-metre world record is the longest-standing track record in men's or women's athletics.

On July 26, 1983, Kratochvílová arrived at the Olympiapark Meeting in Munich as a 400m specialist with intentions of testing her speed over 200m. After a touch of cramp, she decided to switch to the 800m. Her subsequent time of 1:53.28 sent shockwaves through the sport.

She was 32 years old at the time. Primarily a 400m runner, this was only the second time she had ever competed in the 800m.

The record has been described by 1996 Olympic champion Svetlana Masterkova as "very fast. It's impossible for women to run so fast. It will last for 100 years."

All-Time Women's 800m List — Where Hodgkinson Now Stands

Hodgkinson's indoor 1:54.87 is now 1.59 seconds off Kratochvilova's outdoor record. With the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Kujawy Pomorze, Poland next month, and an outdoor season ahead, the sport holds its breath to see whether Hodgkinson can finally slay athletics' most controversial and enduring ghost.