Keely Hodgkinson is on the brink of making history as she sets her sights on breaking the long-standing indoor 800m world record held by Jolanda Čeplak. This record, which has stood since 2002, was set on the very day Hodgkinson was born, and she now has the opportunity to surpass it at the Keely Klassic in Birmingham on February 15, 2025. The event is set to be a significant milestone in Hodgkinson’s career as she aims to etch her name into the record books.
Hodgkinson, the Olympic 800m silver medalist, has been preparing intensively for this moment. Having trained in South Africa, she is aiming to use the speed and tactical expertise she has developed outdoors to break the indoor record. Her outdoor personal best of 1:54.61 places her among the fastest women ever in the 800m, and while her indoor best of 1:57.18 is slightly slower, she believes there is room for improvement on the tighter, shorter indoor tracks.
The Keely Klassic is part of the World Athletics Indoor Tour Bronze series, which guarantees the event will attract a high level of competition. Athletes from the UK and around the world will gather to compete, with Hodgkinson’s 800m race serving as the centerpiece of the event. The meet promises to offer an exciting atmosphere, with some of the UK’s best athletes taking to the track. In addition to Hodgkinson, other stars include Jake Wightman, the 2022 world 1500m champion, who will be attempting to reclaim the UK indoor 1000m record, and Molly Caudery, the current UK pole vault record holder and reigning world indoor champion.
Wightman’s challenge will be to surpass the UK indoor 1000m record of 2:17.51, which was narrowly beaten in 2019 by Charlie Da’Vall Grice. Wightman’s return to the indoor circuit will add another layer of excitement to the Keely Klassic, as he looks to make his mark and reclaim the record. His presence ensures that the event will be more than just a showcase for Hodgkinson’s 800m attempt.
Caudery, who soared to a UK record of 4.92m in the pole vault in 2024, is another major draw for the event. Having won the world indoor title the same year, she enters the new season with momentum and is eager to continue her success. Her performance in Birmingham will be closely watched as she looks to extend her reign as the top pole vaulter in the UK and possibly break her own records.
The Keely Klassic will also feature other notable athletes, including Bell, a promising UK distance talent who aims to improve her indoor 1500m best of 4:03.22. The combination of elite athletes across various events will ensure that the meet is a thrilling experience for fans and competitors alike.
For Hodgkinson, breaking the indoor 800m world record would be a monumental achievement, one that would place her among the all-time greats in athletics. Čeplak’s record has stood the test of time, and Hodgkinson’s pursuit of it has captured the imagination of fans and experts alike. Her training and preparation have been meticulous, with a clear focus on using her outdoor speed and tactical intelligence to achieve success indoors.
The Keely Klassic represents more than just a chance for Hodgkinson to break a record; it’s an opportunity for a new generation of athletes to challenge the feats of the past and carve their own legacies. As Kratochvílová’s legendary performances have endured through the decades, Hodgkinson and her peers are determined to leave their own mark on the sport. The event promises to be an unforgettable experience, showcasing the passion, energy, and talent that will shape the future of athletics.
