Running News Daily

Stockholm delivered pure middle-distance history as the Wanda Diamond League witnessed a truly extraordinary women’s 800m—one that will be remembered as one of the fastest races in the event’s modern era.

Switzerland’s rising star Audrey Werro produced the performance of her life, storming to victory in a breathtaking 1:53.98, a world-leading mark and a national record. In doing so, she became the third-fastest woman in history over 800m, coming within just 0.70 seconds of the legendary world record of 1:53.28 set by Jarmila Kratochvílová in 1983.

It was a fearless, perfectly timed run—controlled early, explosive down the back straight, and devastating in the final 200 metres as Werro pulled away in a finish of historic quality.

Right behind her, Keely Hodgkinson from Great Britain once again proved her consistency at the very highest level. The British star delivered a sensational 1:54.33, setting a new British national record and securing her place as the third-fastest woman in history. Despite finishing second, her performance was another statement of world-class dominance in a golden era for women’s 800m running.

Behind the leading duo, the rest of the field produced high-quality performances in a race where almost every athlete was pushed to season’s or personal best levels.

Official Results – Women’s 800m (Stockholm DL)

1. Audrey Werro — Switzerland — 1:53.98 (WL, NR)

2. Keely Hodgkinson — Great Britain — 1:54.33 (NR)

3. Roisin Willis — United States — 1:57.56 (PB)

4. Anaïs Bourgoin — France — 1:57.68

5. Prudence Sekgodiso — South Africa — 1:57.70

6. Anna Wielgosz — Poland — 1:57.92 (PB)

7. Raevyn Rogers — United States — 1:57.94 (SB)

8. Sage Hurta-Klecker — United States — 1:58.26

9. Nigist Getachew — Ethiopia — 1:58.59

10. Pernille Karlsen Antonsen — Norway — 1:58.82 (PB)

11. Gabriela Gajanová — Slovakia — 2:02.88

DNF. Rachel Klopfenstein (Pacer)

From start to finish, the race unfolded at an unforgiving pace, with the front pack shredding expectations and rewriting the limits of women’s 800m running. Multiple athletes dipped under 1:58, highlighting just how exceptional the conditions and competition were.

As the dust settles in Stockholm, one question now rises above the rest: are we witnessing the beginning of a new era where the long-standing world record from 1983 finally comes under serious threat?

If this race is any indication, history may not only be under pressure—it may already be closing in.

The spotlight will shine brightly on British middle-distance star Keely Hodgkinson when she returns to Diamond League competition at the Stockholm Diamond League on Sunday, June 7.

Fresh from another impressive start to her 2026 campaign, Hodgkinson heads to the Swedish capital as the marquee name in a highly competitive women's 800m field that features a blend of established contenders and rising talents from across the globe. The Olympic champion remains one of the most dominant forces in women's middle-distance running and will be eager to reinforce her status against a quality international lineup.

The race is expected to provide a stern examination of Hodgkinson's form. Among those looking to challenge the British star are fellow Briton Jemma Reekie, American duo Sage Hurta-Klecker and Raevyn Rogers, Switzerland's Audrey Werro, South Africa's Prudence Sekgodiso, and Ethiopia's Nigist Getachew.

With several athletes carrying strong credentials and ambitions of their own, the Stockholm showdown promises to be one of the standout women's races of the meeting. The event could also offer an early indication of how the global 800m hierarchy is shaping up as the season gathers momentum.

For Hodgkinson, the objective will be simple: continue building rhythm, sharpen her race fitness, and send another statement to her rivals. But with a deep field assembled in Stockholm, victory is far from guaranteed, setting the stage for what could be a thrilling two-lap battle in one of track and field's most competitive disciplines.

South African middle-distance sensation Prudence Sekgodiso is set to light up the 2026 African Senior Championships scheduled for 12th to 17th May 2026 at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium in Accra, Ghana, where she will take on some of the continent’s most formidable 800m queens in what is expected to be one of the headline clashes of the championship.

The South African national champion in both the 800m and 1500m arrives in Accra carrying immense confidence after a series of impressive performances that have elevated her status among Africa’s elite middle-distance runners. Renowned for her explosive finishing kick, tactical intelligence, and growing championship composure, Sekgodiso looks physically sharp and mentally prepared for the demanding challenge ahead.

Her participation has already generated massive excitement across the athletics world, with fans eager to witness whether she can translate her national dominance onto the continental stage. The women’s 800m field is expected to feature a blend of experienced champions and rising stars, setting the stage for a fierce and unpredictable battle where every second and every tactical move could decide the outcome.

For Sekgodiso, the African Senior Championships represent more than a medal opportunity. It is a chance to cement her place among Africa’s middle-distance elite and continue building her reputation as one of the brightest talents emerging from South African athletics. If her recent form is anything to go by, the showdown in Accra could become a defining moment in her rapidly growing career.

Athletics fans across the continent are already counting down to what promises to be a spectacular contest filled with speed, pressure, tactics, and championship drama. One thing is certain — the women’s 800m in Accra is a race no athletics lover should dare to miss.

Prudence Sekgodiso continued her steady rise this indoor season with a season-best performance at the Belgrade Indoor Meeting on Wednesday night, clocking 2:03.76 to finish fourth in a world-class women’s 800m showdown.

In only her second race of the campaign, the South African middle-distance star lined up in a stacked World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold field and embraced the fast tempo from the outset. Running with composure and determination, Sekgodiso crossed the line with her quickest time of the year so far — a clear indication that her form is building at the right time.

The race, however, belonged to Switzerland’s Audrey Werro, who delivered a historic performance. The 20-year-old stormed to victory in a world-leading 1:57.27, breaking her own Swiss indoor record. In doing so, Werro also surged to eighth on the all-time indoor 800m list, cementing her place among the fastest women ever over the distance indoors.

Behind her, Austria’s Caroline Bredlinger secured second place in 2:01.80, while Portugal’s Patrícia Silva completed the podium in 2:02.80 after a strong finishing effort. Sekgodiso followed closely in fourth, rounding off a fiercely competitive race that showcased the depth of talent on display in Belgrade.

Though narrowly outside the podium places, Sekgodiso’s performance marked a positive step forward. With her season-best now established against elite opposition, she leaves Belgrade with confidence and momentum as the indoor season gathers pace.

Women’s 800m Results – Belgrade Indoor Meeting

Audrey Werro (SUI) – 1:57.27 (WL, Swiss Indoor Record)

Caroline Bredlinger (AUT) – 2:01.80

Patrícia Silva (POR) – 2:02.80

Prudence Sekgodiso (RSA) – 2:03.76

Belgrade proved to be a night of both progress and history — Werro rewriting record books, and Sekgodiso steadily shaping her campaign with encouraging signs for the races ahead.

Prudence Sekgodiso of South Africa is charging toward the top of the global women’s 800m leaderboard with a sizzling time of 1:57.16, recorded in the 2025 season. As of July 4, this places her second on the current world list—trailing only Ethiopia’s Duguma, who leads with 1:56.64.

Sekgodiso’s breakthrough has sent waves through the athletics world, as seen in a recent viral post by SuperSport celebrating her ascent. The 800m is one of the most fiercely contested events in track and field, and Sekgodiso’s consistency and fearless racing style are positioning her as a serious medal contender ahead of the Paris World Championships and potentially the Olympics.

? Top 10 Women’s 800m Times in 2025 (as of July 4):

1. 1:56.64 – Duguma 

2. 1:57.16 – Sekgodiso 

3. 1:57.25 – Werro 

4. 1:57.49 – Nowe 

5. 1:57.55 – Wiley 

6. 1:57.66 – Bell 

7. 1:57.81 – Bourgoin 

8. 1:57.83 – Billings 

9. 1:57.83 – Moraa 

10. 1:58.00 – Maloney 

How Sekgodiso Measures Up Historically:

The women’s 800m world record still stands at 1:53.28, set by Jarmila Kratochvílová of Czechoslovakia in 1983—a mark that has stood for over 40 years and is widely considered one of the most unbreakable in athletics. Only a handful of women have ever run under 1:55, including:

• Jarmila Kratochvílová (CZE) – 1:53.28 (1983)

• Nadezhda Olizarenko (URS) – 1:53.43 (1980)

• Pamela Jelimo (KEN) – 1:54.01 (2008)

• Caster Semenya (RSA) – 1:54.25 (2018)

Prudence Sekgodiso's 1:57.16 may not yet challenge these all-time performances, but it signals her potential to enter the elite sub-1:56 territory—especially with major races still ahead this season.

South Africa’s Next Middle-Distance Icon?

Following in the footsteps of Caster Semenya, Sekgodiso has reignited South Africa’s presence in the women’s 800m. At just 22 years old, she combines speed, endurance, and confidence, and her upward trajectory is undeniable.

As she continues her climb, all eyes will be on her next race. With every lap, Prudence Sekgodiso is narrowing the gap—not just between herself and the world leader, but also between today’s stars and history’s greats.