By Gary Martin
June 30, 2023
World championship bronze medalist Mary Moraa put together one of the smartest races of the outdoor season to beat Olympic and world championship silver medalist Keely Hodgkinson in the 800m at the Lausanne Diamond League.
What you need to know:
– Moraa settled in behind the pacer and ahead of Hodgkinson right from the gun. They split 56.65 for the first lap. Hodgkinson tried to make a pass with 300m left and 150m to go but was unable to get around. Moraa pressed onward in the final homestretch and came away with the win in 1:57.43 to Hodgkinson’s 1:58.37.
– This was Keely Hodgkinson’s first 800m loss of the season. She still holds the fastest time in the world for 2023 with her 1:55.77 from the Paris Diamond League. Moraa is the second-fastest woman.
– Moraa and Hodgkinson are now 4-4 in their all-time head-to-head matchups.
– Jamaica’s Natoya Goule finished third in 1:58.90.
What They Say After The Race
Mary Moraa (via Diamond League flash quotes): “It was a very challenging race and I felt completely empty at the end of it.”
Keely Hodgkinson (via Diamond League flash quotes): “I wasn’t very happy about this race. I was in great shape, but I guess today was not my day. Mary was better. My plans for the season will not change.”
Our Take
“Mary Moraa’s biggest strength was her control of the race and her efforts to hold off Keely Hodgkinson on the back stretch paid off. Hodgkinson wasted a lot of energy trying to push for the lead in meters 500-650m and could’ve benefited from being more patient in that middle portion. It wasn’t her best race, but she’s clearly fit and there’s a clear path for improvement in her race strategy. You should buy stock in Mary Moraa in the women’s 800m right now, but I don’t think you should take too much stock away from Hodgkinson either.” – Gary Martin
Gary Martin
University of Virginia distance runner. Archbishop Wood alum. High school sub-4 miler. Sixers superfan.
