The women’s 800m was a re-match of last month’s world final in Budapest but it ended up being more of an action replay of the 2022 world final on the same Eugene track.
Last year Athing Mu beat Keely Hodgkinson in a thrilling battle and a similar struggle unfolded here as Mu edged past Hodgkinson in the home straight to win in a world lead and American record of 1:54.97 as Hodgkinson improved her British record from 1:55.77 to 1:55.19.
In third, Natoya Goule ran a Jamaican record of 1:55.96 with world champion Mary Moraa of Kenya fading in the final 120 metres and finishing fourth in 1:57.42.
With everyone ignoring pacemaker Kaylin Whitney through 400m in 55.9, Hodgkinson led the contenders through the bell in 57 seconds with Mu on her shoulder. Moraa was forced to run wide for much of the second lap and ran out of steam around the final bend, but Mu, who took bronze in Budapest, was in control as she powered past Hodgkinson.
“I felt really new and refreshed,” said Mu. “I wasn’t even hoping for the American record, I was just hoping for a PR, but I knew I could do something fast if I could just relax and compete.”
Hodgkinson said: “I’m actually really proud of myself. I’m happy with a national record and a huge PB, so it’s a really good way to end the season. It’s a different result every time we run, so it’s good to be a part of it. There’s not really much pressure today, so I just wanted to commit.”
Source: AW
