Georgina Hunter Bell smashes a 31-year-old championship record in the women’s 800m, while Jake Wightman uses his championship know-how to hold off Ben Pattison in a gripping men’s final.
There were some close edges in the middle distance events at the Novuna British Athletics Championships, but Georgina Hunter Bell’s dominant victory in the 800m stood out.
The world indoor 1500m champion took an early lead and went through the bell in 57.02, with Issy Boffi in hot pursuit in second.
But Hunter Bell went to 1:55.93 around the second lap, breaking the 31-year-old championship record of 1:57.56 held by Kelly Holmes and Francine Niyonsaba’s 10-year stadium record of 1:56.92.
Boffi, who finished second, clocked 1:59.56.
Hunter Bell said: “I was trying all the way to the line, so I’m really happy. I wanted to run really hard and see where I was. It was a bit of an exercise to get some questions answered and I’m really happy with what I produced there.
“It’s really nice to break the championship record and win another UK title. I imagined it before I came here. I have great memories here so I can’t wait to be back here for the Europeans in a few months.”
Sarah Calvert was the surprise winner of the British women’s 1500m title 12 months ago and on Sunday she proved it was no fluke as she won again.
Calvert once again ran 4:07.82 as Katie Snowden ran 4:08.22 for second and Laura Muir was third in 4:08.73, just ahead of Erin Wallace.
The men’s 800m was a thrilling, tactical affair with Jake Wightman using all his experience and racing prowess to get the better of Ben Pattison in the closing stages.
Wightman, the 2022 world 1500m champion, went into the home straight just ahead of Pattison and held off the 800m specialist with a gritty display.
Wightman ran 1:45.40, with Pattison nine-hundredths of a second behind, with Alex Botterill third in 1:46.01.
Whiteman said: “I go to the Champions knowing that I can give my best in the championship. If I can get close to 100% in a race and not make a mistake, hopefully that makes me dangerous.
“I feel like I was close to it today, it’s just knowing and having the confidence that I can run well when it counts. It’s a great tool that I’ve had since I was little. As you grow and continue to develop the skills to overcome it, you really see the results.”
Christian Imroth was an impressive winner in the men’s 3000m steeplechase in 8:18.97, just shy of Phil Norman’s 2024 championship record of 8:18.65.
Will Buttersill finished second in 8:22.97 with Zach Seddon third in 8:23.99.
“That was kind of everything I wanted out of today’s race,” Imrot said. “I had a really strong NCAA season and I came here wanting to win. I was kind of in the Euro qualifiers, but I didn’t have time. The guys put it together well today, I don’t think they intended to but it worked for me so I’m very happy.
“It’s a home Euro, I went to Birmingham University so it feels more like home. The job is not just to make it to the championship, but to try to reach the final and get a medal. That’s exactly what I plan to do.”
Arlo Ludevik will be a relatively new name to many as he made his mark in the men’s 1500m with a 3:38.85 victory.
The Herne Hill Harriers athlete boldly hit the front with 600 meters to go and maintained his lead to the line in style.
Jake Hayward continued his good return from surgery as Thomas Keane won his first medal of the championships in third place.
Elsewhere in the endurance races, David Malarkey won the men’s 5000m in 13:27.00, although that means Dave Bedford’s 1972 championship record of 13:17.21 stands for another year.
Finishing quickly for second place, Andy Butchart continued his revival with a season’s best of 13:27.52, just ahead of former champion James West, with Scott Beattie in fourth.
