Georgia Hunter Bell is gearing up for a major test of her form, preparing to face the so-called “Big Three” of middle-distance running—Audrey Werro, Keely Hodgkinson, and Femke Broeders-Bol—in an 800m race in Zurich next week. The athlete enters the competition following a stellar season, having recently secured the 1500m European Championship title on Sunday to complement her Commonwealth 800m gold and world indoor 1500m crown.
Reflecting on the upcoming challenge, Hunter Bell expressed her enthusiasm for the high-caliber field. “There is still a lot left of the season,” she noted, adding that she has yet to compete in a paced 800m event this year. She admitted to feeling a sense of “fomo” while watching the trio on the podium previously and is eager to join the fray. While she has not yet set a personal best this year, she remains in peak form, noting that her consistent winning streak defines her current success.
The Zurich event has generated significant buzz, with some observers suggesting the race could challenge the long-standing world record of 1min 53.28sec, established by Jarmila Kratochvilova in 1983. Expectations are particularly high given that Swiss star Audrey Werro has already clocked a 1:53.80 this season, the third-fastest time in history.
Beyond the immediate Zurich clash, Hunter Bell revealed that she and the top trio have been in discussions with world champion Lilian Odira to organize a “big five” showdown before the end of 2026. The group has been actively coordinating their schedules to ensure they meet on the track, fostering a competitive yet respectful atmosphere. “I can’t wait for that, hopefully the big five will come together soon,” she said.
The most likely venue for this expanded field is next month’s Ultimate Championships in Budapest, which features a $150,000 (£110,000) top prize. Comparing the current crop of 800m runners to prizefighters who possess both supreme confidence and mutual respect, Hunter Bell emphasized that the athletes are prioritizing opportunities to race against one another. “In a good way, people aren’t swerving opportunities, everyone is trying to do it together,” she concluded. The report also notes that “I haven’t done a paced 800m yet, I have one coming up with the speedy girls. The report also notes that “I haven’t run a personal best so far this year yet but weirdly you could say I’m having my best year because I keep on winning,” she said. The report also notes that i am really excited to throw my hat into the ring there.
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