Brits dominate women’s two-lap race at Bislett Games on Thursday as Femke Bol also impresses in 400m hurdles

Keely Hodgkinson picked up another impressive 800m win at the Diamond League in Oslo on Thursday June 16, then recounted AW she plans to tackle the 400m at the UK Athletics Championships in Manchester next week.

The 20-year-old looked slightly disappointed to have run ‘only’ 1:57.71 but was delighted to post another convincing victory against top opponents as Laura Muir finished strong to finish second in 1:58.09.

Such was the quality of the race Jemma Reekie broke two minutes with 1:59.83 but finished eighth.

Pacemaker Aneta Lemiesz led through the bell in 57.2 with Hodgkinson hot on her heels. The Olympic silver medalist took pole position on the backstretch with France’s Renelle Lamote close behind, but the Briton then pulled clear on the final corner and held her advantage down the straight.

“I was pretty happy but I wanted faster,” Hodgkinson said. “A win is a win though. It was great to have this race with Laura and she runs well.

“I try to do it week in and week out but I love championship races and running heats so I’m looking forward to Eugene. Athing Mu took my world lead so I want it back and I have can’t wait to face him at the World Championships.

“I don’t do the 800m in practice but I do the 400m instead.” @keelyhodgkinson Converse with @stuartweir and confirms his UK trial plans after winning the 800m at @BislettGames in 1:57.71 🎙#OsloDL 💎 pic.twitter.com/vAvJokXPv6

— AW (@AthleticsWeekly) June 16, 2022

Racing in the pouring rain on a stormy night in the Norwegian city, Dawit Seyaum won an all-Ethiopian sprint in the women’s 5000m in 14:25.86 to beat Gudaf Tsegay (14:26.69) and Letesenbet Gidey (14:26.92).

The home crowd had plenty to cheer about, however, as Karoline Grøvdal led down the backstretch on the final lap and, despite being beaten by the Ethiopian trio, she held on to break the Norwegian record of 36 years of Ingrid Kristiansen by six. seconds at 14:31.07 as Alicia Monson of the United States and another Ethiopian, Almaz Ayana, followed close behind in fifth and sixth.

READ MORE: Oslo Men’s Coverage

“It’s a big day for me,” said Grøvdal, “the national record has been a big priority for so long. I wanted it so badly that I decided to take the lead when the race became tactical. The crowd definitely helped me and I didn’t think about the rain during the race.

The best Briton was Jess Judd in 15:00.07 while Eilish McColgan retired.

Femke Bol’s great season continued as she broke Deon Hemmings’ 25-year record of 53.18 with 52.61 despite stuttering in the final hurdle.

Ukraine’s Anna Ryzhykova was second in 54.81 while Britain’s Jessie Knight was third in 54.84 and Lina Nielsen 55.06 in fourth.

World No. 1 discus thrower Valarie Allman, meanwhile, was beaten by Sandra Perkovic as the Croatian maintained her fine Bislett Games record by throwing 66.82m ahead of the American’s 65.91m.

In the women’s shot put, UK-based American Chase Ealey threw a PB of 20.13m in the final round to win while runner-up Jessica Schilder threw a Dutch record 19.46m.

Beth Dobbin finished second in the women’s 200m with a season best of 23.01 (0.8) behind winner Ida Karstoft’s Danish record of 22.73.

» Bislett Games Men’s Reports, CLICK HERE