Keely Hodgkinson closed out her injury-hit season in style, winning the 800m at the all-women Athlos meet in New York with a time of 1:56.53.
The Olympic champion, 23, ran only her sixth race of the year after a hamstring injury limited her season. She finished comfortably ahead of fellow Brit and world silver medallist Georgia Hunter Bell, who clocked 1:58.33, while Shafiqua Maloney of St Vincent came third in 1:58.57.
Hodgkinson said the atmosphere helped lift her performance:
“I’ve barely raced this season so it was probably less of a struggle for me to go out there and want to give it something. The atmosphere out there is crazy so it was really, really fun.”
In a standout moment after the race, 23-time tennis Grand Slam champion Serena Williams presented Hodgkinson with a Tiffany & Co. crown instead of a medal — a signature touch of the Athlos event, founded by Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian.
The New York meet, held at a packed Icahn Stadium, featured a party-style atmosphere with live music and major athletes in attendance. Prize money at last year’s edition reached $60,000, making it one of the most lucrative in track and field.
Other standout performances included:
- Faith Kipyegon (Kenya) winning the mile in 4:17.78.
- Brittany Brown (USA) securing a sprint double in the 100m and 200m.
Hodgkinson’s win adds a high note to a disrupted season following her World Championships bronze last month.
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