Keely Hodgkinson, an English middle-distance runner, credits her athletic success to his parents, Rachel and Dean Hodgkinson, who have been instrumental in her success as an Olympic champion 800m runner.
Her parents are supportive figures from a running background, with Rachel having been a member of Leigh Harriers and Dean having run the London Marathon.
Keely Hodgkinson has made athletics history by breaking the women’s indoor 800m world record, a mark that had stood for nearly 23 years.
The 23-year-old Olympic champion stormed to victory in Liévin, France, crossing the line in one minute 54.87 seconds.
She took almost a full second off the previous record of 1:55.82, set by Slovenia’s Jolanda Ceplak back on 3 March 2002. Remarkably, that date marks the day Hodgkinson was born.
The new record caps an incredible week for the British star. Just five days earlier, on 14 February, Keely had improved her own British record to 1:56.33 at the 2026 British Indoor Championships.
Her performance solidified her status as one of the greatest British athletes of her generation and sets the stage perfectly for the outdoor season ahead.
I have been very vocal in the past about wanting to get it. I feel like it is my record to break. We’ll give it a good go.
Keely Hodgkinson
Thank you for the amazing crowd. I could hear you all the way around.
Keely Hodgkinson’s Parents Behind the Star
Keely Hodgkinson, the daughter of Rachel and Dean Hodgkinson, was born on March 3, 2002, in Atherton, Greater Manchester. She is the eldest of four siblings.
Her victory on the track is the result of years of dedication, and her family is a strong support system.
Keely’s journey to becoming a star didn’t happen by accident.
Her parents, who understood the world of running, guided her and believed in her potential every step of the way.
Dean Hodgkinson is often spotted in the crowd at Keely’s biggest races, proudly waving the Union Jack flag. His influence goes far beyond being a supportive spectator.
As a runner himself who completed the London Marathon multiple times, he recognized his daughter’s talent early on.
In fact, Keely might not be a runner at all if it weren’t for him. As a 12-year-old, she was nervous about joining a school race and was considering giving up running to focus on swimming.
Dean made a deal with her that if she just gave the race a try, he would buy her a new pair of shoes. She did, and the rest is history.
Keely now looks back with gratitude, thanking him for pushing her out of her comfort zone.
While Dean provided the push, Rachel provided the inspiration and the foundation.
A talented runner in her own right, Rachel was a familiar face on the local running scene long before her daughter became famous. She was a member of Leigh Harriers and competed with impressive personal bests, including a 1500m time of 6:31.9 and a 10K finish in 47:23.
Although she is now a homemaker, her athletic background was crucial. It was at Leigh Harriers, the club Rachel was dedicated to, where Keely began her rigorous training.
The discipline, community spirit, and strong work ethic that Keely shows today were shaped in those early sessions with the club her mother loved.
Rachel and Dean Hodgkinson built the perfect environment for their daughter to thrive, a mix of motivation, tough love, and a living example of athletic dedication.
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