During a group run, James Rhodes expressed his surprise at the lack of attention given to a particular narrative in the current indoor season. It’s an example of how we can promote our sport effectively.
The narrative revolves around two talented young athletes competing in 600m races on opposite sides of the Atlantic. When these athletes race together, there is a sense of anticipation and excitement. But can the same level of excitement be generated when they race separately, over a distance that is not typically known for its thrill?
This thought stayed with me throughout the run, and when I got home, I decided to share it on Twitter. I thought others would agree with me. But then I realized that I have a platform to write about it, so here’s a piece celebrating these incredible female middle-distance stars, hoping to generate excitement for the upcoming season.
Sporting Rivalries
Rivalries have always been an integral part of sports. Athletes and teams going head-to-head capture our attention like nothing else. Running is no different, with a long history of rivalries that have shaped the track and field landscape. The golden era of running was filled with such rivalries.
Today
In today’s running landscape, the sport is in a good place when it comes to performances. There are individuals who are pushing the boundaries of what we thought was possible in their respective disciplines. Think of Eliud Kipchoge, Letsebenet Gidey, Sydney McLaughlin, Yulimar Rojas, and Mondo Duplantis. When they compete, the whole world watches and expects greatness. Anything less than a world record feels like a letdown.
But there are also events where competition pushes the boundaries and creates excitement. These events feature athletes who produce fireworks and inspire one another with their performances. When these athletes come together, the anticipation is palpable. The outcome may not be guaranteed, but something special is almost certain to happen.
Looking back at the past year, there are a few such events that come to mind – Karsten Warholm, Rai Benjamin, and Alison Dos Santos in the 400m hurdles; Joe Kovacs and Ryan Crouser in the shot put; and the Jamaican trio of Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce, Shericka Jackson, and Elaine Thompson-Herah in the sprints. And of course, we can’t forget Athing Mu and Keely Hodgkinson in the 800m.
Generational Talents
Athing Mu and Keely Hodgkinson, both 20 years old, have already established themselves as stars in the 800m. They have achieved remarkable success at such a young age, breaking records and winning medals on the biggest stages. Their parallel journeys as athletes make their rivalry all the more intriguing.
Although they have only raced each other three times, their meetings have been highly anticipated and have taken place at the pinnacle of track and field competitions, like the Tokyo Olympics and the World Championships. The gap between them has been narrowing, and the excitement for their next meeting at the World Championships in Budapest is building.
Why Now?
But why am I writing about this now, you might ask. The summer has come and gone, and there are still 29 weeks until Budapest. Well, just three days ago, Keely competed in the Manchester Indoor Arena, racing in the 600m event. It was a relatively low-key event compared to her usual competitions, but it turned out to be something special.
Keely’s goal was to break the British Record in the 600m, but behind the scenes, there was a more ambitious plan. The announced pace for the race indicated a potential world record attempt. And Keely delivered, setting a world indoor best time by breaking the previous record set in 2004. This achievement deserves to be celebrated, as Keely became the only British female athlete to currently hold a world record or world best in any event. It bodes well for what’s to come.
As for Athing Mu, she is set to compete in the prestigious Millrose Games in New York in the 600m event. Having previously run the second-fastest time in history, Athing’s presence adds another layer of excitement to the event. Two athletes pushing each other to be the best in a race that rarely witnesses a world record. It’s a celebration of their talent and the bright future ahead for middle-distance running.
So, whether the record falls again or not, the next meeting between Athing Mu and Keely Hodgkinson will be something truly special.