Keely Hodgkinson made the decision to compete in Budapest just a week ago because of a torn hamstring but that call was vindicated with a second place at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship.
As has been the case all season, it was Switzerland’s Audrey Werro who came out on top in the 800m, with Olympic champion Hodgkinson beating converted 400m hurdler Femke Broeders-Bol for second.
And while she would not usually be satisfied with seeing someone else take the win – and the $150,000 prize pot – Hodgkinson revealed that she tore her hamstring when taking European silver behind Werro in Birmingham last month, meaning that even showing up at this new-look event was a question mark until the last minute.
The Atherton-born runner said: “I’m actually proud of how I approached that. Three or four weeks ago, I actually tore my hamstring during that race (in Birmingham) so I didn’t know if I was going to be here, it was very much touch and go.
“I was really close and I was going for the win, but I’m proud of how we have handled that.
“It's been a bit of a frustrating season but, I think overall, I'm finishing second in the world. I can’t really be too hard on myself. And congrats to Audrey, it’s been an incredible season, absolutely dominant and I look forward to racing her again next season.”
Hodgkinson spent much of the race in third, as Werro and Broeders-Bol set the pace, and while she gave it everything down the home straight to overhaul the Dutchwoman, the Swiss athlete had too much in the tank and would not be reeled in.
It completes a sensational year for Werro, who has broken the one minute 54 barrier three times after no one had done so since Jarmila Kratochvila’s world record run back in 1983.
This was championship racing though, rather than a duel with the clock and after her European crown in Birmingham, Werro has shown that she can also win the tactical battles, crossing the line in 1:55.88, with Hodgkinson second in 1:56.26.
That leaves Hodgkinson with a target to chase in 2027, with just one race at Athlos in London to come this season, and the 24-year-old is relishing the challenge.
She added: “I honestly love it. I think it's really great for our sport and for women's sport to have so many amazing women pushing each other.
“I'm happy to be part of it. Hopefully, next time, I'll come out on top.
“I'm always there fighting. That's something to be proud of and take into the future. I'm only 24 and hopefully I'll be around for a lot longer.”
Meanwhile, Manchester sprinter Success Eduan had no time to waste after her Budapest commitments, with a return to the delivery suite just hours after flying home.
Eduan was part of the mixed 4x100m relay team that came third on the opening night in Hungary, before competing in Sunday’s 200m.
But with one week left on her placement as she completes a midwifery degree, Eduan’s return to reality is set to be full on.
She said: “I’m finishing hopefully next week, I’ve got one more week of placement. I need to get all my births, I’ve got four left to deliver.
“I arrive in Manchester on Monday afternoon and have a Monday night shift. Three nights, I finish on Thursday morning.”
Novuna is the Official Finance Partner of British Athletics and proud sponsor of the GB & NI Athletics Team. Find out more at www.novuna.co.uk
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