by Stuart Weir
This is one of Stuart Weir’s most popular columns. Stuart writes on the Brit performances at each event he covers for RunBlogRun. The Brits have their World Champ Trials next weekend, just like the Americans do, in Eugene, next weekend.
The Oslo Bislett Games were good for most of the Brits, as Stuart Weir notes below.
Keely Hodgkinson, happy wth the win, wanted a faster time, photo by Diamond League AG
Brits in Oslo
15 British Athletes prepared for next week’s GB trials at the Oslo Bislett Games
Jessie Knight, photo by British Athletics (Getty Images)
In the 400h, Jessie Knight finished third in 54.84, with Lina Nielsen fifth in 55.06. Jesse told me: “I was really happy up to hurdle 7 and then I lost my stride pattern a bit. I finished strong and came third in a Diamond League, I am over the moon. Three years ago, I was sitting at home watching this on TV. It is easy to forget how far you have come. I want to enjoy it. I have come a long way in three years, so I am happy and grateful”
With potentially a World Championship, Commonwealth Games, and European Champs in her program this summer, she told me her goals were: “Qualifying for all three champs and after what happened at the Olympics last year, I want to PB at the champs. Irrespective of what anyone else does, I want to run the fastest I have ever run”.
Beth Dobbins, photo by British Athletics Archives (Getty Images)
Beth Dobbin was second in the 200m in 23.01. It was a bittersweet result for her: “There are some positives. It is a slight season’s best. But I am not running the times I want to. It is frustrating because last year I was running sub 23 in most of my races. Probably due to my illness over the winter. It is frustrating, but it is where I am, unfortunately”.
Reece Prescod, photo by British Athletics
Reece Prescod was second in the 100m one-hundredth of a second behind Andre de Grasse and ahead of Akani Simbine. He told me: “The race could have been better, but I am happy to be where I am just now. I wanted to win, but I will take second and move on from there”.
Eilish McColgan, Vitality 10,000m, photo by Vitality 10000
Eilish McColgan was leading the 5000m before dropping out. She tweeted: “Woke up with some sort of cold (negative for Covid). Legs felt good but chest and throat say otherwise. Incredibly frustrating. Time to rest up and get healthy”. Jess Judd was 13th in 15:00.17. Sam Atkin also dropped out in the men’s 5000m. Sophie McKinna was ninth in the shot with 16.64.
Keely Hodgkinson, Laura Muir go 1, 2 in Oslo Bislett 800m, photo by Diamond League AG
The women’s 800m was eagerly anticipated with three British runners (two Tokyo silver medallists) in the field. It was a quality race, with the top eight finishing in under 2 minutes. Keely Hodgkinson won in 1:57.71 from Laura Muir at 1:58.09. Keely said: “I was fairly happy, but I wanted faster. It was a solid race, and a win is a win. It was great to have that race with Laura, and she’s running well. I’m trying to take it week by week, but I love championship racing and running the rounds, so I’m looking forward to Eugene. Athing Mu took my world lead so I want it back and I’m looking forward to facing her at the World Championships. I did something different I did something different tonight by going to the front early”.
It was a busy week for Laura who ran 1:57.34 in a mixed-race in UK, just 48 hours previously. I asked her if that time had surprised her: “Yes and No. The training has been going very well; I just had not got the performance in a race down on paper. I knew it was there so I am glad to have got it. It gave me a lot of confidence going into this race. It’s not difficult to do two races in three days, you do it in champs. The travel [Manchester to Oslo] is not ideal. Also we do three hard sessions a week so I am used to running hard back to back”.
Commenting on the Oslo race, she said: “I feel like I had a bit of running left in my legs, but I got myself stuck in the race, so that’s the nature of the beast, I got myself out at the end, but it was too late. I’m really happy with the time, it’s one of my fastest times and off a big week of racing and training so I’m very happy with tonight”.
The disappointing performance was Jemma Reekie finishing 8th in 1:59.83. Jemma told me in Rome last week that from her training performances she knew she was “better than the results” she was getting but added that she would be judged on championships not early session races.
Jake Wightman, photo by Diamond League AG (from Rabat DL)
In the men’s 1500 (see separate post), Jake Wightman set a new Scottish record of 3:50.30, (breaking the iconic Scottish NR of Graham Williamson), but pronounced himself disappointed: “I wanted to be under 3:50, but it was so quick. From the first lap I was worrying what my last lap would be like”. Neil Gourlay was fourth in 3:52.91 also a PR.
Jessie Knight, Ama Pippi, Jess Turner, and Lina Nielson, (notice the Ingebrigtsen) photo by Stuart Weir
The GB women’s team of Jessie Knight, Ama Pipi, Jess Turner, and Lina Nielson won the 4 by 400 relay in 3:28.57!
