Keely Hodgkinson will attempt to break the 42-year-old women's 800m world record of 1:53.28 set by Jarmila Kratochvilova in July 1983 at the London Diamond League meeting on July 18, 2026 [1, 2]. The 24-year-old British middle-distance runner made the announcement ahead of the meeting where she will race on home soil.
Hodgkinson had an injury-disrupted 2025 but came into 2026 in strong form. She completed her best winter training block and broke the world indoor 800m record in February 2026 [1, 2]. She also won the World Indoor Championships in March 2026 [2]. Hodgkinson said, “I’m very happy with where I’m at, I’m building on the indoor season that we’ve had. I’ve been healthy for a year now. I’ve not missed a training session, so I’m in a really, really good place.”
The Briton plans to start her outdoor campaign with a 400m race in Rome on June 4, followed by an 800m race in Stockholm on June 7 [1, 2]. She noted, “We have a plan A of what we would like to happen. Obviously, the sport has its own plans sometimes. If I happen to come into shape where I want to go at it sooner or it happens to be later in the season, that could just be how it goes.”
Hodgkinson expressed strong excitement about the London meet, saying, “Obviously I would love to have that happen on home soil. I get really excited about London and the crowd. As a British person, competing there is so much fun. It’s definitely the main thing I’m looking forward to on the calendar this year. It might be a battle of the world records. Who can get a better one?” [1]
Josh Kerr, the British 1500m world champion, will also attempt a world record in the mile at the same London meet [1, 2].
The London Diamond League on July 18 will be a key test in Hodgkinson’s season as she targets the long-standing outdoor 800m mark set in 1983. Her preparation races in Rome and Stockholm will provide an early indication of her form ahead of the event [1, 2].
