Keely Hodgkinson delivered a commanding performance at the London debut of Athlos, securing an 800m victory at StoneX Stadium. Clocking one minute 56.40 seconds, the 24-year-old pulled away on the back straight to delight a sellout home crowd. In addition to her win, the event saw competitors vying for a $65,000 top prize per race and a unique Tiffany & Co silver crown.
The British star made a bold impression by debuting a bespoke full-body speed suit. The aerodynamic black outfit, which she noted was a year in the making, features 3D-printed nodes to minimize drag, an open back, and a specialized hood. Hodgkinson described the piece as a blend of science, fashion, and sport, emphasizing that the glitzy, all-female platform of Athlos provided the perfect environment to unveil it.
Founded by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, who attended alongside his wife, Serena Williams, Athlos brought its unique event format outside of New York for the first time. The meet featured seven disciplines, with a total prize purse of $1.05 million distributed throughout the evening, accompanied by a high-energy, party-like atmosphere complete with a track-side DJ.
For Hodgkinson, the victory served as a welcome conclusion to a challenging 2026 campaign characterized by both record-breaking highs and physical setbacks. While she captured her first world indoor title and set a global record earlier this year, a mid-season hamstring recurrence and a training fall in July hampered her momentum. After finishing as the runner-up at the European Championships and the World Athletics Ultimate Championship, she ended the year on a high note, celebrating on stage with fellow winners.
Elsewhere on the track, the competition remained fierce. Polish runner Klaudia Kazimierska edged out training partner Georgia Hunter Bell to win the mile in four minutes 19.43 seconds, repeating her success from the recent World Athletics Ultimate Championship. Meanwhile, American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson clocked 10.80 seconds to win the 100m, finishing ahead of British competitors Imani-Lara Lansiquot and Daryll Neita.
Olympic champions also shone under the lights. Gabby Thomas closed the evening by winning the 200m in 22.13 seconds, while Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic overtook Norway’s Henriette Jaeger to claim the 400m in 48.73 seconds. Additional victories were secured by Americans Alaysha Johnson in the 100m hurdles and Alyssa Jones in the long jump.
Looking ahead, Ohanian intends to integrate Athlos into the global athletics calendar as a recurring league. Plans for a two-day expansion in 2026 were shelved after consulting with athletes weary from a long season, leading to the cancellation of the planned October 2 event in New York. The future structure of the event remains a subject of discussion, especially given the busy schedule occupied by the Diamond League and the newly introduced World Athletics Ultimate Championship, which recently offered a record-breaking $10 million prize pool and caused some late withdrawals from the London Athlos meet, including 100m hurdles world record holder Masai Russell. The report also notes that it was a real honour for them to choose me to put this out first. The report also notes that we weren’t sure when we were going to wear it. The report also notes that a bit of a moment, I think was the perfect way to finish the season, but an all-women’s event that’s all about the glitz and the glamour and putting eyes on women. The report also notes that created by Alexis Ohanian, Reddit co-founder and husband of tennis’ 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams, Athlos was staging a meet for the first time outside of New York. The report also notes that a top prize of $65,000 (£48,500) was on offer in each event, in addition to the silver Tiffany crown awarded to winners instead of medals. The report also notes that each featuring six athletes, with money on offer for each position from a total event prize pot of $1.05m (£790,500), the single-night meet included seven disciplines. The report also notes that hodgkinson shows off her dance moves at Athlos.
