Phoebe Gill Returns to Belfast in 2025

After her astonishing victory at last year’s Belfast Irish Milers Meet, Paris Olympian Phoebe Gill is set to grace the track again. Last May, Gill, then just 17 years old, shattered the 45-year-old European Under-18 800m record, clocking in at an incredible 1:57.86. This remarkable performance not only marked a personal best by nearly four seconds but also ignited a series of outstanding displays from the talented athlete from St Albans.

A Career on the Rise

Gill's win in Belfast was merely the beginning. Following her record-breaking run, she went on to clinch the 800m title at the British Championships and made a notable impression by reaching the semi-finals at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This year, she looks ahead to competing in the 1500m at the upcoming Belfast meet, scheduled for May 10th at the renowned Mary Peters Track.

Strong Competition Awaits

Phoebe will not be racing alone; she faces a robust field of competitors that includes:

• Innes FitzGerald, Great Britain's double European junior cross country champion;
• Ava Lloyd, a promising English athlete who secured fifth place in the 1500m at the last World Under-20 Championships in Peru;
• Scotland's Erin Wallace, who finished second behind Gill in the 800m last year with a notable time of 2:00.23;
• Kimberley Ficenec, a four-time Czech champion making her mark in the event.

An Exciting Line-Up

The Belfast event had created buzz in the previous year, held under sweltering conditions that led to thrilling performances. Among those was Callum Dodds, who also made headlines last year by breaking the 1 minute 45 seconds barrier for the first time, finishing the men's 800m in a record track time of 1:44.79.

This year, Dodds will once again be seeking out competition against Tom Randolph, who also dipped under the 1:45 mark at last year’s event.

Sharlene Mawdsley's Return

In the sprinting circles, Sharlene Mawdsley, recognized for her impressive performances including anchoring the Irish team to a dramatic gold in the mixed 4x400m relay at last year’s European Championships, is also set to compete. Mawdsley will face strong contenders like Isabelle Boffey, who boasts a collection of 800m European titles and will step down in distance to challenge Gill in the 1500m.

A Must-See Event

The anticipation for this event is palpable, as race director Eamonn Christie noted that entries sold out in just 15 minutes post opening on January 19th—a testament to the growing prestige of this yearly highlight in the athletics calendar. With athletes from various countries including Spain, Holland, Denmark, Belgium, Poland, the Czech Republic, as well as local representatives from Ireland and Great Britain, the competition promises to be fierce yet exhilarating.

Last year's coverage of Gill’s phenomenal victory garnered more than 580,000 page views on BBC Sport NI’s website, showcasing the interest and excitement surrounding this sporting spectacle.