LONDON, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Keely Hodgkinson ended a rocky season in fine fashion on Friday, shrugging off hamstring concerns to win the 800 metres at the all-women's Athlos London 2026 while dressed in a black, hooded speedsuit that made her look more superhero than middle-distance runner.
Britain's Olympic champion pulled away from the field over the final 200 metres to clock one minute 56.40 seconds and win by more than two seconds at StoneX Stadium, marking the first Athlos event outside the US
after two New York meetings.
"I would have loved to have had (an event like this) when I was younger," Hodgkinson said. "This is fun... life is supposed to be about enjoying it."
After finishing second to Switzerland's Audrey Werro at last week's World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest, Hodgkinson revealed she had suffered a hamstring tear at the European Championships in Birmingham a few weeks earlier.
She said an MRI last season showed she had a rare split hamstring tendon, which allows her to keep competing through injury but may also increase her risk of recurring problems.
The 24-year-old showed no sign of injury on Friday, instead embracing the event's playful spirit in her suit reminiscent of Cathy Freeman at the 2000 Olympics, and dark glasses.
"I know, it's pretty sick," she said. "It's a project I've been working on with Nike for a long time. I thought what a place to bring it out, an all-women's event. It went down a treat."
Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian created Athlos to give women's athletics a fresh spotlight, pairing attractive prize money and athlete ownership opportunities with a more entertainment-focused approach.
That vision was on full display in London, where athletes made individual walkouts, the long jump unfolded on a raised stage beside the track and winners received custom Tiffany & Co. crowns.
American Sha'Carri Richardson, victorious in the 100m in 10.80 seconds, said Athlos's arrival in London showed the event was beginning to make its mark globally.
"It is going to continue to grow and the world is watching," Richardson said.
The 100m was one of just seven disciplines in the streamlined event that had no qualifying rounds, and six athletes competing in each of the straight finals.
Winners pocketed $65,000 with prize money extending down to sixth place ($6,000), and a $250,000 bonus for anyone breaking a world record.
"I just graduated college and I'm broke, so this is amazing," American Alyssa Jones said after winning the long jump with 6.66m.
No world records were under serious threat on Friday as athletes contended with chilly 17 Celsius conditions and end-of-season fatigue.
Six days after winning the women's 1,500m in Hungary, Klaudia Kazimierska of Poland nipped Britain's Georgia Hunter Bell at the line to win the women's mile in 4:19.43, 0.11 faster than Hunter Bell.
"Georgia looked like she was in control but Klaudia said 'not today,'" said Ohanian, who was watching alongside his wife and tennis great Serena Williams. "Wow. It's sport, that's why we love it."
Olympic champion Gabby Thomas won the 200m in 22.13, US teammate Alaysha Johnson won the 100m hurdles in 12.50, and Marileido Paulino of the Dominican Republic took the 400m title in 48.73.
(Reporting by Lori Ewing; editing by Clare Fallon)
