Back 1:57.43 In Boston, the 25-year-old shocks Keely Hodgkinson’s record to move into 8th in the world all-time.
Before this weekend, Isi Boffi had not broken two minutes for the 800m, and her best time outdoors was 1:59.30. However, he stormed to 1:57.43 in the John Thomas Terrier Classic at Boston University on Friday (January 30) to produce Britain’s breakthrough performance of 2026 so far.
Beaufeu’s time was just a quarter of a second off Keely Hodgkinson’s British indoor record of 1:57.18. His time also ranks 8th on the world all-time list.
Boffy also won the race, while Roisin Willis won, who set an American record in 1:57.97.
A night of fast times also saw British runner Katie Snowden win the women’s 3000m in a PB of 8:39.89.
As a young runner, Boffi completed European age group titles in the 800m. He won the European Under-18 crown in Tbilisi in 2018, followed by the Under-20 title in Boras in 2019. Then in 2021, he won European Under-23 gold in Tallinn.
The Enfield & Haringey athlete went on to study biomedical science at Birmingham University and is still coached by Birmingham Uni’s Luke Gunn.
“Things are going so well with my trainer and I’m in such a happy and healthy place,” she said.
“I’m a bit shocked, but if I look at the training and the shot times, it’s not that surprising.
“I was really hoping this year would be a big jump for me. I had been shooting for a new PB for the last few years and knew it was possible but it was a case of getting into the race and making it happen.
“Now I have more confidence to go on the world stage and I want to go to the diamond leagues this year and get involved with the best and prove to myself and everyone that I can be competitive.
“Now the sky’s the limit. I can take so much confidence from that.”
Boffey will now return to the UK to train ahead of the Novuna UK Athletics Indoor Championships where he will face Hodgkinson on his home turf in Birmingham.
