Isabelle Boffey ran the second-fastest indoor 800m ever by a British athlete, clocking one minute 57.43 seconds to win at the BU Terrier Classic in Boston.
The 25-year-old was almost two seconds faster than her previous best time, whether indoors or outdoors, and is now only behind 2024 Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson, who holds the British indoor 800m record of 1:57.18.
Boffey’s time is the fastest in the world this year and makes her the eighth-fastest woman in history in the indoor distance.
“It was absolutely the race of my life,” he said., external
“Things with my coach and I have been going very well and I am in a very happy and healthy place.
“I’m shocked, but it makes sense with the training I’ve been doing.”
Boffey is aiming for summer success at the Commonwealth Games, when he will represent Wales, and at the European Championships, in his home city of Birmingham, in August.
In September, British duo Georgia Hunter Bell and Hodgkinson won silver and bronze medals in the 800 meters at the World Championships in Tokyo.
The World Indoor Athletics Championships will take place in Poland in March and could be a realistic goal for Boffey.
“There’s a lot of competition with only two places and obviously Georgia and Keely won.” [World Championships] medals last year,” added Boffey, who works at the University of Birmingham.
“I’m going to see how the British Championships go in two weeks and then evaluate.
“That moment will give me a lot of confidence to go on a world stage, participate in some Diamond League competitions and prove to everyone and myself that I can be competitive.
“This year’s European and Commonwealth Games are good as they are the stepping stone to the Worlds and the Olympics.
“The sky’s the limit. I can take a lot of confidence away. Knowing I could do it this time and then proving it means a lot to me. Now I feel like I can do anything.”