Keely Hodgkinson Wraps Up Campaign with Winning Display at Athlos in New York
Hodgkinson recorded her personal best of 1:54.61 the previous season in London.
The Olympic champion finished her 800m campaign with a triumph at the all-female Athlos meet in New York on Friday night.
{The reigning Olympic champion, who secured third place at the World Championships last month, dominated an impressive win in one minute 56.53 seconds in what was only her sixth race in a year affected by a muscle issue.
Fellow Briton and world silver medallist Georgia Bell finished second once more in 1:58.33, while St Vincent's Shafiqua M. (one minute 58.57) claimed third.
"I haven't competed much this year so it was probably easier for me to compete and want to give it something," said Hodgkinson.
"The environment at the event is incredible so it was really, really fun."
The women-only event filled Icahn Stadium in its second edition, introducing a party atmosphere to traditional track, with live music and special crowns replacing standard medals.
The 23-times tennis major winner Serena Williams, who is wed to Athlos founder Alexis Ohanian, was on hand to award the victors with their tiaras.
Previous champions received $60,000 (forty-four thousand six hundred and three pounds) - one of the largest prize purses in athletics.
The competition also drew some of the sport's biggest names, as the Kenyan three-time Olympic gold medallist and world record holder Faith K. triumphed in the mile race, finishing in four hours 17.78 minutes.
American Brittany Brown, the 200m bronze winner from last year's Paris Olympics, won the 100m and 200m double.
Related Topics
- Athletics
Further Coverage
- Athlete transitions to 800m with excitement
