MANCHESTER, UK — Olympic and world silver medalist Keely Hodgkinson eased into the final of the women’s 800m on Day One at the 2023 British Athletics Championships at Manchester Regional Arena on Saturday morning. – Read more: Day 1: How to watch the British Athletics Championships 2023?
Hodgkinson, who leads the world with her personal best time of 1:55.77 in Paris earlier this year, comfortably clocked 2:01.16 to win the second heat ahead of Khahisa Mhlanga from Herts Phoenix AC, who clocked in at 2:01.31 to return the second-fastest time from the heats.
Alexandra Bell from Pudsey & Bramley AC, also put up a strong performance, in the second heat, finishing third with a season’s best time of 2:01.35 to advance as third quickest on the day.
Jemma Reekie from Kilbarchan, and Isabelle Boffey from Enfield & Haringey AC, also punched their tickets into the final of the women’s 800m on Saturday.
Olympic fourth-place finisher Jemma Reekie posted a time of 2:02.71 to secure first place in heat three, defeating Boffey, who ran 2:04.12 for second place, while Ella Greenway, 18, from Cleethorpes AC, earned the last qualifying spot with a third-place finish with 2:04.57.
Other qualifiers for the final include Revee Walcott Nolan, who ran 2:04.25 to win heat one, and Stephanie Driscoll, who clocked 2:04.35 for second in that race.
Keely Hodgkinson, who will compete in the 400m at the European Athletics U23 Championships from 12-15 July, in Finland, will start as the overwhelming favorite to win the women’s 800m on Day One at the 2023 British Athletics Championships on Sunday.
Women’s 800m heats results at the 2023 British Athletics Championships:
- Keely Hodgkinson (Leigh Harriers) – 2:01.16 Q
- Khahisa Mhlanga (Herts Phoenix AC) – 2:01.31 Q
- Alexandra Bell (Pudsey & Bramley AC) – 2:01.35 qSB
- Jemma Reekie (Kilbarchan) – 2:02.71 Q
- Isabelle Boffey (Enfield & Haringey AC) – 2:04.12 Q
- Revee Walcott Nolan (Luton AC) – 2:04.25 Q
- Stephanie Driscoll (Liverpool Harriers & AC) – 2:04.35 Q
- Ella Greenway (Cleethorpes AC) – 2:04.57 q
- Abigail Ives (Basildon AC) – 2:04.68
- Rhiannon Hawker (Cardiff Athletics) – 2:05.27
- Hannah Cameron (Aberdeen AAC) – 2:05.35
- Rachel McClay (Bracknell AC) – 2:05.95 SB
- Helen Braybrook (Corby AC) – 2:06.14 PB
- Grace Vans Agnew (Brighton Phoenix) – 2:06.33
- Ava Lloyd (Wigan & District H & AC) – 2:06.35 PB
- Molly Hudson (Derby AC) – 2:06.49
- Emily Simpson (City of Sheffield and DEA) – 2:07.27
- Zoe Hunter (Leeds City AC) – 2:07.98 PB
- Hannah Segrave (Middlesbrough AC Mandale) – 2:08.67
- Saskia Huxham (Hallamshire Harriers Shef) – 2:08.76 SB
- Isobel Ives (Basildon AC) – 2:08.81
- Lily Saxon (Solihull & Small Heath AC) – 2:09.54
- Leah Keisler (Law & District AC) – 2:09.63
- Indienne King (Wigan & District H & AC) – 2:10.18
- Hannah Taylor (Aberdeen AAC) – 2:15.11
- Jodie Martin (Kingston Upon Hull AC) – 2:15.54
