Greater Manchester’s middle-distance running maverick, Keely Hodgkinson, has just been voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year and we couldn’t be prouder, but she’s already eyeing up her next accolade: the 800m world record – and she’s hoping to do it at her own brand-new running event.
The Atherton-born athlete was one of Team GB’s shining lights at Paris 2024, storming ahead of the pack to win her first Olympic gold medal in just her second summer games but it’s been an unbelievable calendar year for her as a whole.
She already held the British women’s record before going on to not just defend her title but actually better her time at the European Athletics Championships back in June, with only five people in history having ever run it faster than her.
However, the Tyldesley-schooled track star believes she isn’t too far away from achieving another dream and one which would forever cement her amongst the sporting greats. She’s even creating the perfect opportunity for herself early in the new year.
Hodgkinson is launching an all-new running event of her own called the ‘Keely Klassic’, which is set to take place in Birmingham and will effectively serve as her first real attempt at smashing the 800m record.
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Being registered as an official Bronze meeting on the World Athletics Indoor Tour, the day of racing will feature around nine heats involving top athletes, live music and entertainment, as well as celebrity appearances and more.
With the BBC themselves already in talks to broadcast the very first edition of what her teams hopes will be an annual event, it is rumoured to be an hour-long televised show and the headliner will be Keely’s attempt at breaking a 800m record – or two…
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As well as aiming to smash Jolanda Ceplak’s all-time best (1:55.82) set on 15 Februrary 2002 – which just so happens to be the day Keely was born and when the Klassic will be taking place – she’s also going to try and surpass the outdoor record of 1:53.28 set by Czech runner Jarmila Kratochvilova back in 1983.
Speaking to the BBC after lifting the 2024 Sports Personality Award, the 22-year-old runner and Olympian said: “I’m pretty close [to the world record], I would like to think. I have seen this year what my body is capable of and I’m excited to push on.
“That world record is something I will always have in the back of my head. But I have so many years to get stronger so I’m looking forward to seeing what happens.”
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She also said she has no fear in making her goals public as it only serves as motivation to push for them under the public eye, having done exactly the same in the lead-up to her first Olympics back in Tokyo.
Hodgkinson made a point of thanking her coach Trevor Painter on the stage after he name was revealed too, stating, “I wouldn’t be where I am without his guidance that I’ve had since I was 17.”
She only doubled down on her gratitude after the fact as well, adding: “I trust in Trevor and Jenny [Meadows] a lot. I know what shape I’m in before I step on the start line.
“[A world record break] all depends if it comes together and that can depend on many things in athletics”, she insists, but it’s clear that if she does manage to go and smash another feat – be that the indoor/outdoor record in 2025 or another time in the near future – their wisdom will no doubt play a part.
Nearly 40 fans arrested after city centre clashes and Old Trafford chaos during Man United vs Rangers
Danny Jones
Dozens of fans were arrested following numerous clashes at Old Trafford and in central Manchester before, during and after Man United’s game against Rangers this week.
The Red Devils took on the Scottish side in a crucial Europa League fixture on Thursday night, with nearly 4,000 Glaswegians making the trip down to Manchester.
After reports of violence and disorder in the city centre a couple of hours before kick-off, there were also said to be issues regarding Rangers supporters trying to enter the ground with fake tickets as well as instances of ‘tragedy chanting’ regarding club disasters.
Worse still, further chaos was sparked after away fans infiltrated the home end, with security and actions from stewards being criticised around the stadium.
I can’t quite believe how many Rangers fans were in the home end at Old Trafford last night…
Saw Rangers fans drinking from glass bottles in the stand, smoking, later throwing bottles, fighting, one doing airplane arms. Had to help a dad shield his little girl to get her out safely. Kids terrified round us. So badly managed tonight. pic.twitter.com/7Sz59Jp8Iv
Sharing an update on Friday morning, Greater Manchester Police detailed that a 450-strong officer presence saw a total of 39 arrests made in connection with the fixture.
26 were detained for violent disorder after fighting broke out around Ancoats at approximately 6pm as the Rangers fans were being prepared for their escort towards Old Trafford.
Other arrests included drug offences, drunk and disorderly behaviour, tragedy chanting, as well as assaulting a steward inside the ground.
There were also continued problems regarding general safety, organisation and queuing around the turnstiles, which has been a recurring issue at the footballing arena of late, with many fans struggling to make it into the ground in time for kick-off.
Although the away fan presence was clearly an exacerbating factor, many United fans have once again called out the club for failing to address the issue which saw added congestion not only around the concourse but even in the stands in this instance.
Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes, match commander for the game, said: “These high-profile fixtures are always exciting occasions, but they also naturally present challenges to ensure that the thousands of spectators can enjoy the game safely and to minimise disruption for the wider public.
“Last night, we did see some incidents before the game which required a prompt response from our officers to prevent any further disorder and harm. Arrests were made and further disorder was prevented.
“An operation like this takes weeks, if not months, of planning with both clubs and all our local partners. Generally, the crowds have been really well-behaved and the vast majority have had a safe and enjoyable time watching the game in Manchester.”
United went on to narrowly win the game in the 11th hour thanks to a stoppage-time goal from captain Bruno Fernandes to spare their blushes but with lots of tough results and unpopular decisions happening around the club, they’ll need more than a last-gasp 2-1 win over Rangers to improve the atmosphere.
Manchester City complete the signing of highly-rated forward Omar Marmoush
Danny Jones
Manchester City have completed their third signing of the January transfer window as Omar Marmoush is officially a blue.
Joining Man City from Eintracht Frankfurt on a deal said to be worth around £59 million, he arrives at the Etihad just 48 hours after new defensive duo Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis were also revealed.
Agreeing to a four-and-a-half-year contract, Marmoush was the second-highest scorer in this current Bundesliga campaign (15), boasting 20 goals and 14 assists across all competitions already, so City fans can certainly expect plenty of attacking threat.
The fast and dynamic forward has mainly been deployed as a striker for Frankfurt but can play as inserted winger on either flank, giving Pep Guardiola‘s side another option.
Donning one of football’s most iconic shirts with the number seven (which has been vacant ever since Joao Cancelo left the club), the 25-year-old landed in Manchester with plenty of excitement as City were by no means the only Premier League outfit looking to secure his services.
Both Arsenal and Liverpool were said to be monitoring his situation as one of the most sought-after targets in Europe – the latter obviously rumoured to have expressed a vested interest given the impending departure of their talisman, Mo Salah.
‘The Egyptian King’ has been one of if not the best player in the league this season with 18 goals and a baker’s dozen assists so far but informed the leaders in this year’s title race that this would be his last year at the club.
Those sentimental enough amongst the red half of Merseyside were naturally hoping his compatriot Marmoush might make an ideal replacement and follow in the 32-year-old’s footsteps for the years to come, but the blue half of Manchester seem to have led the chase right from the off.
Nevertheless, Salah has more than left his mark on English football and his fellow national teammate has already been given the perfect nickname.
Speaking in his first interview as a City player, Marmoush said: “Representing my country at a big club like this was something I always dreamed of. [Now] my dreams are becoming a reality of being [the first Egyptian] at Manchester City and I hope I can keep up this level.
“The Premier League is for us in Egypt the biggest league and the most followed league because of my team-mates like Mo Salah and other Egyptian players that have played in the Premier League.
“Most of the players growing up, our dream is to be here and that is why it makes me so happy that I am here to reach this beautiful league.”
Elsewhere at the club, a loan deal for Kyle Walker to join AC Milan with an option to buy also looks to be all but done. Happy with the transfer business done so far, Blues?
Danny Jones -
18th December 2024 
