Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson smashes 400m PB as World Indoor title bid gathers pace

The 800m specialist ran a 51.49 at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow on Sunday, lowering her previous indoor best of 52.42.

The time, which was also faster than her outdoor best of 51.61, marks a continuation of Hodgkinson’s blistering start to 2026.

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She has now put in a string of outstanding performances, including a world-record-breaking indoor 800m run of 1:54.87 in Lievin on Febuary 19.

The historic effort came five days after Hodgkinson broke the British indoor 800m record of 1:56.33.

Hodgkinson will hope to win gold in event at the World Indoor Championships in Torun, Poland, at the end of this month.

She is also hoping to be considered for the British 4x400m team, despite the relay final taking place just 45 minutes after the women’s 800m final on the last day of competition.

"Put me on the second leg," she said after Sunday's run.

"I've got to be happy with an outright PB. I did want [to run] slightly faster but it's different to an 800m and it was good to step down [in distance]."

Hodgkinson will be prioritising the longer event and will go in as heavy favourite to add the title to her Olympic and European crowns.

"To go in as a favourite is amazing," she said. "I'm privileged and enjoying being in this position. I like living off this expectation.

"Now we'll be going into a top-up training block, then head to worlds and hopefully get the job done there."