Keely Hodgkinson caps 2026 season with a win in a sleek Nike hooded speed suit at Athlos London

It was a crisp Friday evening at the StoneX Stadium, and the air buzzed with a mix of anticipation and a hint of something else – fashion, perhaps. Keely Hodgkinson, Britain’s 800m star, stepped onto the track in a black, full‑length Nike speed suit that looked as much like a runway piece as a race‑day uniform.

She’d been fighting a niggling hamstring issue for weeks, an MRI even flagged an "abnormality" that left her and her team tweaking training plans. Still, when the starter’s pistol cracked, she seemed oddly relaxed, the hood pulling down just enough to mute the roar of the crowd and the whir of the wind.

Without her usual rivals – Switzerland’s Audrey Werro and the Netherlands’ Femke Broeders‑Bol – the race turned into something of a personal showcase. Hodgkinson settled into her rhythm, clocked a comfortable 1:56.40, and crossed the line first, defending her Athlos crown for the second year running. The time wasn’t a season‑best, but the win felt like a small, satisfying victory after a season riddled with setbacks.

“I was a little nervous walking out,” Hodgkinson admitted later, laughing as she lifted the hood to reveal a smile. “The shades helped block the noise, but it was really fun – something I’ll remember forever.” The sentiment was as genuine as the sweat glistening on her forearms.

The suit itself sparked a flurry of comments. Its sleek lines and hood reminded many of Cathy Freeman’s iconic 2000 Sydney Olympic kit. Hodgkinson, a self‑declared “look‑good‑feel‑good” fan, said she’d even trained in it in the South African heat, where temperatures nudged 40°C. “Technically, the air drag is higher with your hair out,” she joked, “but my hair stays in – it’s non‑negotiable.”

When asked if the suit might see action in Los Angeles 2028, she smiled mysteriously. “We might know some things that people don’t!” she teased, hinting that the tech‑driven garment could be a glimpse of what’s coming for elite sprint and middle‑distance athletes.

Beyond the flash of fabric, the race also underscored a shifting hierarchy in women’s 800m. Werro, who had bested Hodgkinson at the European Championships earlier in the year, currently leads the season’s rankings, pushing the long‑standing world record of 1:53.28 into the conversation. Yet Hodgkinson’s win, even in a less‑crowded field, signalled that she remains a force to be reckoned with as the new season looms.

Her hamstring story adds another layer. The British runner explained that her tendon structure is a bit unusual – she essentially has two tendons where most athletes have one. “When one tore, the other kept me going,” she said. “It’s weird, but I can still train. I’ve just had to dial back the speed work to keep it safe.”

Fans left the stadium buzzing not just about the win, but about a future where performance gear blurs the line between sport and style. Hodgkinson herself summed it up: “It’s a mixture of fashion, speed and science – maybe the future of athletics.”