HODGKINSON SEALS 800M WORLD INDOOR U20 RECORD - WEEKEND UPDATE

Vienna Indoor Classic, 30 January

Keely Hodgkinson (Trevor Painter) produced the best performance of her career so far as she claimed the women’s world U20 indoor 800m record (subject to ratification) in a time of 1:59.03.

The Leigh athlete looked in control over the opening laps before accelerating with one lap to go, moving away from the rest of the field to go under two minutes for the first time in her career. She improves the previous world U20 indoor best of 2:01.03 by Ethiopia’s Meskerem Legesse, which has stood since 2004.  The 18-year-old also moves to the top of the British U20 all-time standings in the process.

Another athlete in strong form out in Austria was Jamie Webb (Adrian Webb) who improved his indoor PB to 1:46.95. Following an injury disrupted 2020, the 2019 European indoor silver medallist was back in sharp form as he won the men’s 800m contest.

Results

World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold, Karlsruhe, 29 January

Dina Asher-Smith (John Blackie; Blackheath and Bromley) equalled her 60m PB in her first indoor race since 2018, clocking 7.08 as she triumphed in the final. There were also indoor personal bests for Sophie McKinna (Mike Winch; Great Yarmouth), Elliot Giles (Jon Bigg; Birchfield) and Andrew Butchart (Central), the latter in a Scottish record over 3000m.

Read the full report here.

ISTAF Indoor Dusseldorf, 31 January

Dina Asher-Smith followed up her equal PB in Karlsruhe with another victory in Dusseldorf. After swiftly progressing through her heat in a time of 7.15, she returned for the 60m final just over an hour later, posting a time of 7.12 to seal the win.

Results

American Track League 2, Fayetteville, 31 January 

Over in the USA, Charlie Da’Vall Grice (Brighton Phoenix) ran a superb time of 1:45.62 which moved him to fourth on the UK indoor all-time list over 800m. In his first indoor race in eight years, Grice placed behind the American, Bryce Hoppel who was also in PB form, winning in 1:44.37.

Results

4J Studios Scottish Athletics Invitational, 30 January

Guy Learmonth (Justin Rinaldi; Lasswade) opened his season with an indoor 800m personal best of 1:46.73, while Neil Gourley (Ben Thomas; Giffnock North) was second in 1:47.24.

In the 400m, Zoey Clark (Eddie McKenna; Thames Valley) clocked a time of 52.40 over 400m, while T38 sprinters Alexander Thomson (Chris Baillie; Victoria Park City of Glasgow) and Ross Paterson (John Kinder; Red Star), both set PBs in the 60m; 7.59 and 7.89 respectively.