Mary Moraa's track rival banking on Nike's innovation as she joins race to break 800m world record

Mary Moraa's track rival banking on Nike's innovation as she joins race to break 800m world record

Abigael Wafula 09:38 - 16.08.2024

The Olympic champion explained that as she plans to attack the 800m world record, Nike, through their innovations team, will organise a set-up just like they did for Eliud Kipchoge as he did the 'Ineos 1:59 Challenge.'

Keely Hodgkinson has joined Mary Moraa in the race to break the long-standing women’s 800m world record of 1:53.28 set in 1983 by Jarmila Kratochvilova.

Moraa and Hodgkinson are so far the two best 800m runners in the world, with Athing Mu and newly crowned Olympic silver medallist Tsige Duguma joining the chat. However, Moraa and the Briton are the only ones who have made known their desires to shatter the world record.

She is banking on Nike’s technology and innovation of shoes to attack the world record. The structured race will be like Eliud Kipchoge’s ‘1:59 Challenge’ where the legendary marathoner attempted to run a marathon in under two hours. However, she explained that the approach would be a bit different since she would be competing on the track, unlike Kipchoge who was running the road race.

“Yeah – a bit like what they did for Eliud. I don’t think you would be able to do that [exact approach] on the track but they love to look at the science. How can we help on the bend of an 800? What shoes can give you that? Now we are at the milli-fractions. We’ve got a great talented group that will push us to go faster. I believe I can go quicker,” Hodgkinson added.

Following her triumph on the Olympic stage where she won the Olympic gold medal in the women’s 800m, Hodgkinson has shifted focus to shattering the world record.

In an interview with the Telegraph, the world 800m bronze medallist wants to become a history maker by taking down the record that has lasted longer in the sport. Hodgkinson has a personal best time of 1:54.61 and is confident of achieving the feat termed as impossible by many.

“It is the longest-standing track record ever – over 40 years now. I’d love to get close to it. I started to really believe we could a few weeks ago. I work closely with innovations at Nike. If technology is helping the human body to do amazing things, I think that’s a great thing,” Hodgkinson said.

“They have got a project of trying to get to the women’s 800m record – what they can do to help – and I welcome that. The fans get excited when they see great performances and times that they never thought could happen.”

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