The inaugural Keely Klassic in Birmingham delivered a thrilling night of athletics on February 15, with British records tumbling despite the absence of the event’s namesake, Olympic gold medallist Keely Hodgkinson. Though Hodgkinson was a late withdrawal, the competition remained intense, with athletes seizing the opportunity to leave their mark on the record books.
Lina Nielsen provided one of the standout performances of the evening, storming to victory in the women’s 300m with a blistering time of 36.53 seconds. Her performance shattered Dina Asher-Smith’s national record of 36.77, marking a significant milestone in British sprinting. Close behind, Emily Newnham clocked 36.88 for second place, while Ama Pipi finished third in 37.22, rounding out an impressive podium.
The men’s 1000m event produced another record-breaking display, with Neil Gourley clocking 2:16.74 to surpass Charlie Grice’s previous UK indoor record of 2:17.20. However, despite his historic run, Gourley had to settle for second place as Samuel Chapple surged ahead in the final lap. Chapple not only clinched victory in 2:16.09 but also erased Rob Druppers’ long-standing Dutch record in the process. Alex Botterill finished third in 2:17.25, completing an electrifying race.
In the women’s 1500m, Georgia Bell came agonizingly close to another British record. Having recently claimed victory in the prestigious Wanamaker Mile at the Millrose Games, Bell entered the race in top form. She set a relentless pace, staying close to the pacemaker before battling for the lead with Ireland’s Sarah Healy. Bell ultimately crossed the line in 4:00.63, narrowly missing Laura Muir’s UK indoor record of 3:59.58. Despite falling just short, her performance underlined her rising status in middle-distance running. Meanwhile, Healy’s time of 4:01.62 set a new Irish indoor record, further adding to the night’s historic moments.
Although Hodgkinson’s absence was a disappointment for many fans, the inaugural Keely Klassic still exceeded expectations, delivering breathtaking performances and rewriting national records. The event’s success has set the stage for future editions, with anticipation already building for what’s to come next year. If this debut is any indication, the Keely Klassic is set to become a staple in the indoor athletics calendar, promising more record-breaking performances in the years ahead.
