Werro, Hodgkinson, Broeders-Bol went 1-2-3 in Ultimate Championship 800m

© Copyright – 2026 – Athletics Illustrated

The universe kept to the script with the expected top-three finishers as they have throughout the season. Audrey Werro won the 2026 World Athletics Ultimate Championship in 1:55.88 over Keely Hodgkinson. She clocked in a 1:56.26 performance, and taking third was Femke Broeders-Bol in 1:56.74.

Werro led early, Broeders-Bol stuck to her right shoulder most of the way. Hodgkinson held back until the final 200 metres, where she stepped on the gas, but so did Werro. There was a good gap between each at the finish line, which represents just how the season has gone for all three.

Werro has won just about everything she has tried. Hodgkinson is back to being a constant bridesmaid and Broeders-Bol looks great for a new 800m runner.

Werro earns $150,000 to cap a very long season, having raced 26 times. She is 23 for 26 on the season. She also finished second twice during indoor 800m races and eighth in a semi-final. Otherwise, she has won all that she possibly could.

The 22-year-old could barely break 2:00 minutes until 2026. Now she is a World Indoor silver medallist, Diamond League and European champion, and World Athletics Ultimate champion. She has also run the third, fourth, and fifth-fastest times in history.

Werro will be the one to beat at the 2027 World Athletics Championships and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

How Femke Broeders-Bol improves will be of interest. This was her first year stepping away from the 400m hurdles, where she was the world’s second-best behind Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.

For Hodgkinson, the 24-year-old Paris Olympic champion will continue to be in the mix, always a threat.

USA runner Addison Wiley ran a season-best performance to finish in fourth place. Her personal best is 1:56.83. Expect her to continue to improve.

Results

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