Keely Hodgkinson wins final race of 2026 season at Athlos
Keely Hodgkinson secured victory in the 800m at London's Athlos event, debuting a new hooded Nike speed suit while managing a hamstring injury.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 / Author: Tony Hisgett
British athlete Keely Hodgkinson closed out her 2026 season with a dominant 800m victory at the Athlos event in London. Crossing the line in 1:56.40, she successfully defended her crown at the all-women's competition founded by Alexis Ohanian.
Hodgkinson showcased a new full-length, hooded Nike speed suit during the race. She described the outfit as a long-term project with the brand, noting that the style-focused, all-women's event provided the perfect environment for its debut.
The performance comes amidst a challenging period for the 24-year-old. Hodgkinson revealed that an MRI scan recently uncovered an "abnormality" in her hamstring—specifically a split tendon. She sustained a tear to one part of the tendon during the European Championships in Birmingham, but continued to compete by modifying her training approach to avoid high-speed risks.
Competition in the women's 800m has intensified this year, with Switzerland's Audrey Werro emerging as a significant rival. Werro, who beat Hodgkinson at both the European Championships and the Ultimate Championships, joins Hodgkinson and Femke Bol in pushing the limits toward the 43-year-old world record.