The Pudsey and Bramley athlete runs 1:59.43 then 1:59.28 after team selected for Budapest 800m

BMC REGIONAL RACES, Tooting Bec, July 26

Alex Bell had her best race of the year but it proved too late for selection for the World Championships.

In mightily impressive fashion in wet and breezy conditions, Bell ran a BMC members record 1:59.43 which moves her to sixth on the 2023 UK list. She was also the seventh British athlete to better the Budapest standard of 1:59.80.

It was her fastest time since her seventh place in Tokyo in 2021.

The Olympic finalist, who had finished sixth in last years European and Commonwealths, won by around two seconds from Americans McKenna Keegan, Emily Richards and Aussie Carley Thomas. Niamh Bridson-Hubbard finished eighth in a PB 2:04.45.

The third selection spot in Britains team at 800m went to multi European age-group champion Isabelle Boffey who had finished fifth to Bells third in the trials.

Boffey ran a superb 1:59.30 at Madrid the day before Bell ran in Tooting Bec. Bell stated she had attempted to also get a lane in Madrid without luck.

The team for Budapest was actually selected before Bells 800m in London and although she ran under the standard last year, it was insufficient to justify selection with the selectors prioritising marks set in 2023.

Bell has a better championship record but Boffey has gone sub-2:01 on six occasions indoors and outdoors this season. She also finished second at the European Team Championships.

However, Bell did then clock 1:59.28 in Birmingham three days later (July 29), a time below the Olympic qualifying standard. Many feel that Bell was harshly treated by the selectors.

New Zealands Sam Tanner won a high-quality 1500m in a BMC all-comers record of 3:35.15 with Callum Elson second in a PB 3:35.39 which was a BMC members record.

3:35:15 BMC Record for Sam Tanner pic.twitter.com/1hRvdNPhvt

James Rhodes (@James_Athletics) July 26, 2023

Elson went under 3:40 for the first time in June.

Former European youth 3000m winner Thomas Keen broke new ground with 3:37.11 in fourth while Emsley Carr mile winner Adam Fogg was fifth in 3:37.34. In sixth, Archie Davis was also inside 3:38.

Joe Wigfield (3:37.54) and Henry McLuckie (3:37.57) set personal bests.

Sam Reardon won the mens 800m in 1:47.31.

Jonathan Escalante-Phillips claimed victory in the 5000m in 14:02.41 just ahead of Oscar Bells 14:03.30 PB.

Hannah Irwin was the fastest woman with a time of 15:46.03 just ahead of English national cross-country champion Sarah Astins 15:49.18, with former British champion Steph Twell setting a seasons best of 15:58.30 just ahead of Rebecca Johnsons 15:58.48 PB.

Men: 800: A: 1 S Reardon (B&B) 1:47.31; 2 H Fisher (B&B) 1:48.25; 3 D Locke (Card) 1:50.01; 4 M Wilson (Sun) 1:50.12; 5 J Atherton (AUS) 1:51.38. B: 1 J Gumm (Phoe) 1:49.01; 2 F OBrien (NEB) 1:49.71; 3 J Chambers (Ton) 1:49.79; 4 J Dickson (K&P) 1:49.98; 5 A Dray (Phoe) 1:50.07. C: 4 V Nutakor (NEB, M35) 1:53.90; 5 J Keir (Inv EK, U20) 1:53.99; 7 S Stapley (Reig, U17) 1:55.59. D: 1 R Forbes (Optima, U20) 1:55.25. E: 2 S Sprostranov (Craw, U17) 1:58.29. 1500: A: 1 S Tanner (NZL) 3:35.15; 2 C Elson (C&C) 3:35.39; 3 J Reniewicki (USA) 3:36.02; 4 T Keen (C&C) 3:37.11; 5 A Fogg (Cov) 3:37.34; 6 J Sharp (AUS) 3:37.50; 7 J Gormley (Shef/Dearn) 3:37.51; 8 J Wigfield (Wirr) 3:37.54; 9 H McLuckie (SB) 3:37.57; 10 A Davis (Phoe) 3:37.98; 11 J Thomas (AUS) 3:38.63; 12 C Davies (AUS) 3:41.57. B: 1 K Imroth (SB) 3:46.30; 2 W Singleton (Shrews, U20) 3:47.77. C: 1 J OConnell (AFD, U20) 3:56.44; 2 S Nesbitt (AFD, U20) 3:56.54; 4 A Lennon (Sutt, U17) 3:58.19; 11 M Cummings (Herne H, M35) 4:00.57. D: 6 J Scanes (B&B, U15) 4:01.41; 12 L Jolly (Read, M40) 4:06.04. E: 11 E Brady (HW, M35) 4:13.34. 5000: A: 1 J Escalante-Phillips (C&C) 14:02.41; 2 O Bell (Herts P) 14:03.30; 3 S Gebreselassie (Belg) 14:10.20; 4 A Fyfe (Edin) 14:11.29; 5 H McGill (AUS) 14:16.76; 6 E Wilson (Charn) 14:18.11; 7 S Bramwell (Herne H) 14:25.62; 10 S Hodgson (WSEH, U20) 14:52.15; 11 R Wood (BMH, M35) 14:53.26; 14 E Hind (Mil K, M35) 14:59.24; 16 M Dubery (Ton, U20) 15:06.76

Women: 800: A: 1 A Bell (P&B) 1:59.43; 2 M Keegan (USA) 2:01.21; 3 E Richards (USA) 2:01.36; 4 C Thomas (AUS) 2:01.60; 5 E Sanford (AUS) 2:03.17; 6 R Walcott-Nolan (Lut) 2:03.43; 7 M Meyer (USA) 2:03.81; 8 N Bridson Hubbard (B&B) 2:04.45; 9 E Donaghu (USA) 2:05.74. B: 3 E Harrold (Chelm, U15) 2:16.28; 4 I Williams (B&B, U15) 2:16.28. C: 7 F de Mauny (Herne H, W40) 2:26.97. 1500: A: 1 G Bell (SB) 4:12.16; 2 R Walcott-Nolan (Lut) 4:13.15; 3 R Greene (NZL) 4:13.92; 4 K Dommersnes (NOR) 4:14.06; 5 V Henriksen (NOR) 4:23.03; 6 L Hawkins (Soton) 4:23.97; 7 H Hall (Win, W35) 4:25.68; 8 P Roessler (AFD, U20) 4:28.38; 9 K Willis (Norw) 4:28.52; 11 S Storms (Unatt, U17) 4:32.65; 12 R Clutterbuck (WSEH, U20) 4:32.94; 13 I Harrison (HW, U15) 4:42.94; 14 P Taylor (Win, U15) 4:45.36

Mixed events: 800: D: 6 A Haines (Phoe, M55) 2:08.53; 7 A Ridley (Vets, M55) 2:09.24. E: 2 C Wormley (Craw, U20W) 2:08.90; 3 L Wormley (Craw, U20W) 2:09.73; 7 C Kelly-Gordon (B&B, U20W) 2:11.56; 8 S Atkinson (Phoe, M55) 2:11.99. 5000: B: 3 H Irwin (C&C, W) 15:46.03; 4 S Astin (Belg, W) 15:49.18; 6 S Twell (AFD, W) 15:58.30; 7 R Johnson (High, W) 15:58.48; 8 R Paranandi (Herne H, M45) 16:00.14; 11 R Murray (Bed C, W) 16:13.34; 12 H Viner (High, W) 16:27.85; 15 N Sturzaker (Herne H, W50) 18:13.85

Full results on Power of 10 here

BMC GRAND PRIX WORLD ATHLETICS CHALLENGE, Birmingham University, July 29

Alex Bell set an Olympic qualifying mark of 1:59.28 and improved her BMC members record.

Bell ran a fast 57.7 first lap and hung on to win by three seconds from former European junior champion Khasisa Mhlanga (2:02.59).

After the race, Bell said: I set myself the goal of Wednesday being a heat and this being the semi-final.

Two BMC records in a week and two seasons bests. Im always pleased with the support here and a great crowd. You never know what weather you are going to get though but Im always pleased with the support here.

Every race this year Ive got faster. The conditions were bad with the circling wind everywhere. The pacer slowed and I knew what high-57 [1:57] felt like and to get the Olympic qualifier I knew I had to push on and use my intuition.

Me and my team knew what I was capable of and its shame other people cant see how the trajectory is going. Im disappointed but its not something I cant deal with as its happened in the past.

Theres not much on the agenda now with the World Championships as its quiet now but Im free to race anywhere and have some fun with it.

Still bemused by her exclusion she said: Ive had no response from WCP Endurance Performance Manager Steve Vernon about the questions and texts Ive sent him.

Bells outdoor 800m womens track races in 2023

June 6: Bydgoszcz 7th 2:02.72
June 13: Stretford 1st 2:01.56
June 18: Poznan 3rd 2:01.48
July 8: UKA heat 3rd 2:01.35
July 9: UKA final 3rd 2:00.68
July 26: BMC Tooting 1st 1:59.43
July 29: BMC Birmingham 1st 1:59.28

Boffey, who ran 2:00.45 indoors, clocked outdoor marks of 1:59.30, 2:00.18, 2:00.39, and 2:00.44, giving her five faster marks in 2023 than Bells best prior to the selection meeting.

Joe Wigfield had a five second win in the 1500m in 3:38.96.

Niamh Bridson-Hubbard was close to her best in triumphing in the womens race in 4:11.13 with Budapest-bound at 5000m Amy-Eloise Markovc showing good speed in third in 4:12.70.

Eight of the first 12 set personal bests in the mens 3000m (and nine out of the first 10 in the B race) with James Gormley taking eight seconds off his previous best to break the 7:50 barrier.

Three days after setting a 1500m PB at Tooting, he won in 7:49.61 ahead of newly crowned English 5000m champion Alfie Manthorpe who ran 7:53.54.

Australian Lauren Ryan won the womens race in 8:53.75 with Beth Kidger setting a PB in third in 9:06.29 ahead of Innes Fitzgeralds 9:07.85.

American Madie Boreman led home the womens 2000m steeplechase in 6:09.81 with Poppy Tank third in 6:28.40, a time that moves her to eighth in the UK all-time list.

Men: 800: A: 1 J Davies (Bath) 1:49.84; 2 J McMurray (St Alb) 1:49.91; 3 D Walton (Bburn) 1:49.98; 4 A Beddoes (COK) 1:50.40; 5 E Savage (Sale, U20) 1:50.95; 6 M Wharton (Sale) 1:51.31. B: 1 J Sispal (Leam) 1:50.96; 2 B Gardiner (B&B) 1:51.09; 3 B Murphy (Ton) 1:51.37; 4 J White (Ports) 1:51.65; 5 F Hutchinson (Notts, U20) 1:51.74. C: 1 M Waterworth (Phoe, U20) 1:51.22; 2 A Dray (Phoe) 1:51.93; 6 J Phillips (Kilk, U20) 1:53.68. D: 1 M Ayling (St Ed, U17) 1:49.89; 2 S OLoughnane (BMH, U20) 1:51.21; 5 H Ware (BMH, U20) 1:52.83; 6 C Mcleod (Pit, U20) 1:52.83. E: 1 T Waterworth (Hunts, U17) 1:52.02; 5 W Steadman (Chelm, U20) 1:54.76; 6 M Al-Gadi (QAT, U20) 1:55.19; 8 J Kinrade (Shrews, U17) 1:55.42. F: 2 J Vaughan (Bir, U20) 1:53.52; 4 J Organ (Brec, U20) 1:54.15; 5 S Temple (Hart AC, U20) 1:54.45. Ht: 1 W Rabjohns (Poole, U20) 1:52.64; 2 B Brooker (Kett, U20) 1:54.63; 3 M Brunnock (Western Tempo, U20) 1:54.69; 4 F White (Bir, U20) 1:54.79; 5 J Phillips (Kilk, U20) 1:55.46; 6 S Atkins (K&P, U20) 1:55.66; 8 F Shepherd (M&M, U17) 1:57.60. 1500: A: 1 J Wigfield (Wirr) 3:38.96; 2 B West (MKDP) 3:44.16; 3 S Charig (Ports) 3:44.43; 4 W Lewis (AUS) 3:44.75; 5 M Heyden (AFD) 3:44.83; 6 J Gumm (Phoe) 3:45.02; 7 K Elliott (Falk) 3:46.19; 8 J Patton (Kilb) 3:46.29. B: 1 T Chamberlain (Holm) 3:47.29; 2 W Perkin (TVH) 3:48.41; 5 D Proctor (Sale, M35) 3:50.84; 6 D Jones (Swan, U20) 3:51.99. C: 1 L Minale (Gate) 3:49.12; 3 J Keir (Inv EK, U20) 3:51.78; 4 N Bennett (R&N, U20) 3:52.11; 6 M Wilsmore (B&W, M35) 3:53.34; 8 M Clark (Prest, U17) 3:55.30. D: 4 L Small (Ashf, U20) 3:56.53. E: 2 J Small (Ashf, U20) 3:57.59; 4 E Taylor (C&C, U17) 3:58.65; 8 R Brown (Tm E Loth, U17) 4:00.67. 3000: A: 1 J Gormley (Shef/Dearn) 7:49.61; 2 A Manthorpe (Shef/Dearn) 7:53.54; 3 M Clarke (AUS) 7:55.09; 4 J Eisa Mohammed (ART) 7:56.41; 5 O Perrin (Menai) 7:56.58; 6 C Wheeler (MKDP) 7:56.86; 7 G Wheeler (MKDP) 7:57.64; 8 B Potrykus (WG&EL) 7:58.93; 9 A Penney (HW) 8:01.99; 10 A McMillan (York) 8:04.19; 11 J Goodwin (Bed C) 8:04.94; 12 D Bebbington (Bburn) 8:06.88; 13 J Skelly (Linc W) 8:07.72; 14 A Kinloch (Ton) 8:08.35; 15 K Imroth (SB) 8:08.74; 16 B MacMillan (Centr) 8:10.90; 17 J Sanderson (G&G) 8:13.28; 18 E Bird (Poole, U20) 8:13.65; 19 K Reilly (Ton) 8:20.02; 20 Z Seddon (Brack) 8:25.50. B: 1 H Wakefield (Salf) 8:07.24; 2 B Alcock (Bed C) 8:11.73; 3 S Byrne (Swin, M35) 8:13.32; 4 W Singleton (Shrews, U20) 8:14.55; 5 R Miell-Ingram (Rad, U20) 8:15.43; 6 R Martin (Centr) 8:17.71; 7 J McCrae (Hallam) 8:18.49; 8 A Ediker (Cfield) 8:18.77; 9 F Hutchinson (Leeds C) 8:19.43; 10 L Rawlings (Shrews) 8:19.53; 11 T Shaw (York, U20) 8:19.77; 12 J Deacon (Chor ATC, U20) 8:21.51; 13 C Bowen-Jones (NEB) 8:23.20; 14 L Sheppard Brown (Card) 8:24.62; 15 A Brown (Morp) 8:24.78; 16 E Wilson (Charn) 8:25.20; 17 P Cameron (Edin) 8:25.96; 18 J Rennie (Read) 8:35.05. 2000SC: A: 1 N Carabana (AND) 5:26.50; 2 B Buckingham (AUS) 5:26.91; 3 E Trippas (AUS) 5:26.93; 4 P Norman (WG&EL) 5:29.37; 5 T Karbo (NOR) 5:34.47; 6 M Pearce (SB) 5:39.79; 7 S Costley (Soton) 5:46.91; 8 F Cooper (Yate, U20) 6:00.32; 10 T Manton (Stock H, U20) 6:08.59; 11 B Price Davies (Brec) 6:16.56

Women: 800: A: 1 A Bell (P&B) 1:59.28; 2 K Mhlanga (Herts P) 2:02.59; 3 J Selman (Fife) 2:04.01; 4 S Calvert (Living) 2:04.40; 5 J Cherry (VPCG) 2:04.42; 6 S Driscoll (Liv H) 2:05.14. B: 1 A Gisbourne (Bury, U17) 2:07.26; 2 I Downes (Shrews, U20) 2:08.05; 3 E Colbourn (Hgate, U20) 2:08.16; 4 G Vans Agnew (Phoe) 2:08.59; 6 A Stratton (Bburn, U20) 2:14.25. C: 1 H Parker (E&H) 2:07.71; 2 B Trow (Shrews, U17) 2:08.04; 3 M Deadman (BMH) 2:08.56; 4 H Tuson (Yeov O) 2:08.90; 6 A Bennett (Kett, U20) 2:10.63. D: 1 J Lark (W Ches, U17) 2:08.56; 3 A Hedge (St Alb, U20) 2:11.85; 4 I Burke (Sale, U20) 2:13.39; 5 E Bartalotta (Salf, U17) 2:13.50; 6 A Jones (Prest, U17) 2:14.65. E: 1 E Davies (Brack, U17) 2:14.05. 1500: A: 1 N Bridson Hubbard (B&B) 4:11.13; 2 H Bains-Kaur (IND) 4:11.85; 3 A Markovc (Wake) 4:12.70; 4 M Meyer (USA) 4:13.11; 5 E Donaghu (USA) 4:14.13; 6 R Greene (NZL) 4:14.61; 7 M Davies (Sale) 4:15.13; 8 A Griffiths (AFD) 4:17.17; 9 S Tait (Jag) 4:17.30; 10 S King (W&SV, U17) 4:19.31; 11 A Shipley (MKDP) 4:21.42; 12 L Church (Read) 4:22.55; 13 T Simpson (Shef/Dearn) 4:27.41. B: 1 K Pye (AFD, U17) 4:27.20; 6 L Langan (York, U17) 4:33.76; 9 K Brady-Jones (Wirr, U20) 4:36.85. C: 2 L Saxon (SSH, U20) 4:34.72; 3 E Powell (Abing, U17) 4:37.23; 4 I Courtney (Wells, U20) 4:38.75; 5 J March (Barn, U15) 4:40.27; 6 L Mico (Worc, U17) 4:40.63; 9 I Williams (B&B, U15) 4:44.05. 3000: A: 1 L Ryan (AUS) 8:53.75; 2 C Adams (AUS) 9:02.16; 3 B Kidger (Phoe) 9:06.29; 4 I Fitzgerald (Exe, U20) 9:07.85; 5 K Dommersnes (NOR) 9:08.83; 6 J Nesbitt (Ppridd R) 9:13.72; 7 S Astin (Belg) 9:14.32; 8 H Irwin (C&C) 9:15.35; 9 J Bailey (Lev V, U20) 9:22.20; 10 A Nerurkar (Phoe) 9:23.08; 11 P Stone (Mbro) 9:27.90; 12 R Flaherty (Bing, U20) 9:38.49; 13 N Brown (AFD) 9:39.69; 14 A Garner (AFD) 9:41.85; 15 L Huxley (Prest, U20) 9:43.07; 16 A Barbour (WSEH) 9:46.49; 17 M Lyons (Card, U20) 9:46.68; 18 H Blundy (Wells, U20) 9:48.73; 19 B Oates (AUS, U20) 9:54.81; 20 R Hamilton-James (Wbury) 9:55.88. 2000SC: A: 1 M Boreman (USA) 6:09.81; 2 J Hvid (DEN) 6:17.78; 3 P Tank (Ply) 6:28.40; 4 V Henriksen (NOR) 6:29.49; 5 G Phelan (Wirr, U20) 6:46.32; 6 C Hammett (THH) 6:51.16; 7 R Clutterbuck (WSEH, U20) 6:52.08; 8 L Hall (AFD) 6:52.89; 9 M Collings (Woking) 6:57.33; 10 J Heller (WSEH, U17) 7:09.26; 11 D Slattery (Salf, U17) 7:19.94

Full results on Power of 10 here