Hodgkinson's World Record Bid Thwarted by Canal Accident — image accompanying The Guardian Athletics's report. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA; reduced and presented for news commentary with the attributed report. View the complete source report.
Keely Hodgkinson's bid for the 800m world record was disrupted by a fall during a canal run. The Olympic champion believes the fall caused her hamstring injury at the European Championships.
Hodgkinson tripped on a metal grill while jogging by a canal in July, resulting in bloody knees and a jarred back. She suspects this incident led to her hamstring tear at the Europeans. Read more racing coverage.
Despite the setback, Hodgkinson's unique genetic makeup, featuring split tendons, allowed her to continue training. She will compete in the Athlos meeting in London, aiming to prove her resilience. Related: London Hosts Major Women's Track-and-Field Event with $1m Prize.
This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from The Guardian Athletics. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.
Reader questions
Questions about this report
What should runners know about Hodgkinson's World Record Bid Thwarted by Canal Accident?
Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson's world record chase derailed by a fall during a run. Keely Hodgkinson's bid for the 800m world record was disrupted by a fall during a canal run. The Olympic champion believes the fall caused her hamstring injury at the European Championships.
When did Runner World publish this racing brief?
Runner World published this brief on September 17, 2026. The underlying The Guardian Athletics report was dated September 17, 2026.
Where can readers find the complete original report?
This summary is based on reporting from The Guardian Athletics. The attributed source link in the article leads to the publisher’s complete report.
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