Keely Hodgkinson, the Olympic 800m champion, will step down to the 400m distance at the Novuna UK Athletics Championships. On the weekend of the event, she will join a field rich in 400m pedigree, led by British record holder and 2025 World Indoor Champion Amber Anning and current UK lead Yemi Mary John.
What's at Stake?
The Novuna UK Athletics Championships will see iconic medallists from the Olympic, European, and World Championships compete for national titles across Saturday and Sunday, with some eyeing up European qualification.
The women's 400m line-up is stacked, with Paris Olympic relay medallists Laviai Nielsen and Nicole Yeargin, and 2025 European U20 Champion Charlotte Henrich, all set to compete. Keely Hodgkinson will face tough competition as she steps down from her usual 800m distance.
The Competition
Amber Anning, the British record holder and 2025 World Indoor Champion, will be looking to defend her title, while Yemi Mary John, the current UK lead, will be aiming to build on her recent success, having anchored the Novuna GB & NI team to bronze at the 2026 World Athletics Relays.
Keely Hodgkinson's decision to step down to the 400m distance will be closely watched, as she looks to test herself against the best in the country. The event will take place at Alexander Stadium, with the results available live on Microplus.
The Road to European Qualification
The Novuna UK Athletics Championships will provide a crucial opportunity for athletes to secure European qualification. With the competition fierce, Keely Hodgkinson will need to be at her best to achieve her goals.
The men's 400m promises another fiercely competitive contest, led by Olympic silver medallist and European record holder Matt Hudson-Smith, who returns to his home stadium. The event will be a thrilling spectacle, with some of the best athletes in the country competing for national titles and European qualification.
Keely Hodgkinson's performance at the Novuna UK Athletics Championships will be eagerly anticipated, as she looks to make a statement in the 400m distance. With her Olympic 800m champion credentials, she will be a force to be reckoned with in the competition.