Who, what and when guide: UK Athletics Indoor Champs
The two-day event on February 26-27 will determine Britain's team for the upcoming World Indoor Championships in Belgrade but also provide a chance for athletes to fight for national titles and personal bests.
Broadcast on the BBC website and red button, if you want to watch in person there are still tickets left which you can buy here.
Here is our run-down of the events at the Utilita Arena Birmingham.
Men’s 60m (world qualifier: 6.63)
Championship Best Performance (CBP): Jason Gardener 6.49 2004
Defending champion (2020): Andy Robertson 6.66
Most wins: Dwain Chambers/Jason Gardener 5
UK lead: Charlie Dobson/Andy Robertson 6.59
Five athletes already have the standard for the World Indoor Championships while a further nine are within 0.05 of the time and could be a factor if they make what is bound to be a keenly contested battle to be Britain's fastest man of the winter.
Defending champion Robertson (who also won in 2017 and has been runner-up three times) is the favourite in terms of experience but Charlie Dobson (who edged him in the Müller Indoor Grand Prix), Jeremiah Azu and Adam Thomas are in PB form and have run similar times and will also be eyeing a Belgrade place.
World under-20 200m champion Jona Efoloko is another going in the right direction and has run 6.65 this winter.
Men’s 200m (world qualifier: n/a)
CBP: Julian Golding 20.46 1998
Defending champion (2020): Andrew Morgan-Harrison 21.20
Most wins: Linford Christie 6
UK lead: Toby Makoyawo 20.73
As the event is not being contested in the World Indoors the quality won't compare with the 60m. Defending champion Andy Morgan-Harrison is not entered but his younger brother David is and has an outside medal shot.
The other medallists from 2020 – Nicholas Pryce and Ben Snaith – return though Northern champion Joe Ferguson may start as marginal favourite.
Men’s 400m (world qualifier:46.50)
CBP: Solomon Wariso 45.71 1998
Defending champion (2020): James Williams 47.24
Most wins: Nigel Levine 6
UK lead: Edward Faulds 46.16
The European under-20 champion Ed Faulds broke the European indoor under-20 record at the Müller Indoor Grand Prix and his 46.16 was also a world qualifier and gives him a full second superiority on fellow Brits on 2021 times. However, he was a late withdrawal from the event this weekend due to injury.
Based on the rankings, Ben Higgins has the next best time with 47.16. Chris McAlister is only ranked 23rd but Britain's fastest 400m hurdler of 2021 could show big improvement at the event.
Men’s 800m (world qualifier: 1:46.70)
CBP: Tom McKean 1:46.49 1990
Defending champion (2020): Guy Learmonth 1:46.89
Most wins: Martin Steele 4
UK lead: Elliot Giles 1:45.42
British record-holder Elliot Giles dominates on times in 2022 too even if he is nearly two seconds down on his stunning 2021 run at Torun but he is also entered in the 1500m.
Remarkably Giles ran 1:45.42 at both his Birmingham second and winning in Torun a few days later. Defending champion Guy Learmonth and Commonwealth medallist Kyle Langford also have the world qualifying mark this winter and Learmonth especially should be competitive based on his indoor PB of 1:46.46 in Birmingham last weekend. Learmonth already has a record nine medals in the event.
Archie Davis could be another factor – he was second ahead of Mills in last year's 1500m trials race and has run 3:40.28 1500m this winter but did run 1:44.72 at 800m last summer.
Men’s 1500m (world qualifier: 3:39.00)
CBP: Eddie King 3:40.24 1999
Defending champion (2020): George Mills 3:50.69
Most wins: John Whetton 6
UK lead: Neil Gourley 3:35.32
Six athletes have the qualifier this winter and all bar Olympic 1500m medallist Josh Kerr are entered. Judging by past championships – no one has ever run sub-3:40 – it's likely to be tactical.
Reigning champion George Mills led the way in the Müller Indoor Grand Prix (3:36.03) and could potentially be up against past champions Grice, Giles and Gourley who also have the qualifying mark.
Piers Copeland was just behind Mills in Birmingham last Saturday with his 3:36.12 indoor PB and he did win the indoor trial race last year and he has great range having run a 48 400m and sub-8:00 3000m in 2021.
Men’s 3000m (world qualifier: 7:50.00)
CBP: David Lewis 7:49.61 1986
Defending champion (2020): Jonathan Davies 8:07.96
Most wins: Ian Stewart, Ian McCafferty, Ray Smedley, Mo Farah, Lee Emanuel 3
UK lead: Andrew Butchart 7:37.42
UK leader Andrew Butchart isn't entered but European 5000m record-setter Marc Scott is due to run, as is in-form Tom Mortimer, Olympic steeplechaser Zak Seddon and 3:34 1500m runner James West, who has produced a 7:44 earlier in the month.
Remarkably a dozen British men have beaten the world standard this winter but only Mortimer, West and Jamaine Coleman are entered of those.
Jack Rowe has yet to run indoors this winter but in 2021 made the European Indoor final and ran 7:42.15 in the summer so can't be discounted. Other interesting entries are UK under-20 record-setter Osian Perrin and teenager Henry McLuckie.
Also watch for 3:36 1500m runner Joshua Lay even though his 3000m PB is only 9:54.61 set at the age of 14!
Men’s 60m hurdles (world qualifier: 7.72)
CBP: Colin Jackson 7.43 1990
Defending champion (2020): David King 7.78
Most wins: Colin Jackson 7
UK lead: Andrew Pozzi 7.59
The reigning world champion Andy Pozzi is a clear favourite but fellow Olympian David King, who is going for his third successive title, was only 0.04 back in the Müller Indoor Grand Prix with his own 7.63 PB.
The 37-year-old multiple world outdoor finalist Will Sharman, who tied for first with Pozzi in 2014, is due to make his 2022 debut here.
Men’s high jump (world qualifier: 2.34)
CBP: Tom Parsons/Robbie Grabarz 2.31 2011/2013
Defending champion (2020): Tom Gale 2.27
Most wins: Geoff Parsons 5
UK lead: David Smith 2.22
There is a huge gap between the UK lead and the always tough field world qualifying which is way in excess of the championships best but it will still be a good battle for the UK title.
With reigning champion Tom Gale absent, UK leader David Smith, who was second in 2020, is a clear favourite.
Men’s pole vault (world qualifier: 5.81)
CBP: Steve Lewis/Adam Hague 5.65 2009/2018
Defending champion (2020): Adam Hague 5.55
Most wins: Mike Bull 8
UK lead: Harry Coppell 5.54
Former world under-18 champion and reigning UK outdoor champion Harry Coppell only has two silver and a bronze from his past indoor championships and will be up against defending champion Adam Hague who joint holds the championship best and 2019 winner Charlie Myers.
Again the world indoor qualifying mark is way above the championship record.
Men’s long jump (world qualifier: 8.22)
CBP: Stewart Faulkner 8.03 1990
Defending champion (2020): Dan Bramble 7.81
Most wins: Chris Tomlinson 6
UK lead: Jack Roach 7.66
It's not been a classic year for British long jumping with UK leader Jack Roach a marginal favourite among a small field which sees none of the 2020 medallists return.
The 2019 runner-up James Lelliott has yet to show his best form this winter. An interesting entry is multi jumps talent Dominic Ogbechie, who also goes in the high jump.
Men’s triple jump (world qualifier: 17.10)
CBP: Phillips Idowu 17.30 2005
Defending champion (2020): Michael Puplampu 16.21m
Most wins: Tosin Oke (NGR) 6
UK lead: Montel Nevers 15.81
The UK triple jump scene has also not come alive this season with no one near 16 metres. However, there are three past champions with 17-metre bests entered.
Tokyo Olympic competitor and former world youth champion Ben Williams, who won the title way back in 2011, has only jumped a modest 13.99m this year but did win the 2019 British outdoor championships with a 17.27m.
Nathan Douglas, with a 17.64m PB first won this title in 2006, hits 40 later this year. He first jumped 16 metres in 2003 and managed a windy 16.20m last year and is still a medal challenger. Former European medallist Julian Reid has yet to compete in 2022.
Men’s shot (world qualifier: 21.10)
CBP: Garrett Johnson (USA) 20.66 2008
Defending champion (2020): Scott Lincoln 19.49
Most wins: Mike Winch 7
UK lead: Scott Lincoln 20.73
Scott Lincoln has a two-metre advantage at the top of the rankings and will be a huge favourite as he goes for a sixth successive title with an eye on the championships best of 20.66m considering he has thrown further this winter.
Men’s heptathlon (world qualifier: n/a)
CBP: Alex Kruger 5888 1993
Defending champion (2020): Andrew Murphy 5606
Most wins: John Heanley 3
UK lead: Lewis Church 5482
The England title in January was a close affair with just 83 points between Lewis Church, Harry Kendall and Harry Maslen and the trio are all entered.
Men’s 3000m walk (world qualifier: n/a)
CBP: Tom Bosworth 10:58.21 2016
Defending champion (2020): (5000mW): Tom Bosworth 18:20.97
Most wins: Tom Bosworth 6
UK lead: Tom Partington 12:59.01
With a disappointing four competitors the event switches back from a 5000m walk which was held between 2017 and 2020. Chris Snook, who recently won the England 10km road walk title, looks the likely favourite based on his 12:03.14 outdoor PB.
Women's 60m (world qualifier: 7.30)
CBP: Asha Philip 7.09 2014
Defending champion (2020): Amy Hunt 7.39
Most wins: Bev Kinch, Joice Maduaka, Asha Philip 6
UK lead: Daryll Neita 7.11
Asha Philip would have been chasing a record seventh title but she is not now competing in the championships. Former BUCS winner Cheyanne Evans-Gray should challenge for a medal based on her recent 7.22 PB. Daryll Neita, the UK No.1 this winter, has chosen not to compete, while reigning champion Amy Hunt pulled up injured in the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Birmingham and is also out of the competition.
Women's 200m (world qualifier: n/a)
CBP: Merlene Ottey (JAM) 23.07 1990
Defending champion (2020): Ami Pipi 23.23
Most wins: Ciara Sheehy (IRL) and Joice Maduaka 3
UK lead: Amber Anning 23.23
With this event not contested in Belgrade, the entry is low. The 2020 runner-up Jazmine Moss is the fastest entry on 2022 times with a 23.94 this winter.
Women's 400m (world qualifier: 52.90)
CBP: Nicola Sanders 50.60 2007
Defending champion (2020): Jessie Knight 52.76
Most wins: Verona Elder 8
UK lead: Ama Pipi 52.02
Defending champion Jessie Knight will be hard to beat but this is one of the best races on paper of the weekend. Also entered are reigning 200m champion and 400m Olympian Ami Pipi who won her opening 400m race in Mondeville and then improved to an UK lead 52.02 in Torun. Another to watch is European Team Championships 400m hurdles winner Lina Nielsen.
Hannah Williams, sister of Olympic finalist Jodie, ran 51.60 last summer and should also challenge. But many eyes will be on Keely Hodgkinson after her stunning British 800m record in Birmingham last weekend.
The Olympic silver medallist has never raced 400m indoors before but based on her 52.61 last summer, she is capable of battling for a medal.
Women's 800m (world qualifier: 2:01.50)
CBP: Jo Mersh 1:59.74 2003
Defending champion (2020): Keely Hodgkinson 2:04.37
Most wins: Jenny Meadows 7
UK lead: Keely Hodgkinson 1:57.20
Defending champion and UK record-holder Hodgkinson does not need to compete here for selection but there is still a quality field headed by Olympic fourth-placer Jemma Reekie who lost her UK record last week.
In-form Issy Boffey beat Reekie in winning the Müller Indoor Grand Prix 1000m but the Scot is likely to run a more conservative race here.
Jenny Selman has the world qualifier this winter with a 2:00.70 and will also be in the medal mix.
Women's 1500m (world qualifier: 4:09.00)
CBP: Zola Budd 4:06.87 1986
Defending champion (2020): Holly Archer 4:21.99
Most wins: Hayley Parkinson-Ovens/Mary Stewart 3
UK lead: Amy-Eloise Markovc 4:08.68
Reekie is also entered here though she has yet to run a 1500m this winter and only run two in 2021 but will start favourite if she competes here.
Also in the field are Olympian Revee Walcott-Nolan and Adelle Tracey, who though both previously more used to 800m racing have 4:06 outdoor bests.
European indoor medallist and reigning champion Holly Archer is also entered but has not shown her best form thus far in 2022 unlike European under-23 medallist Erin Wallace who ran a PB and world qualifier 4:08.90 at Birmingham last week.
Women's 3000m (world qualifier: 8:49.00)
CBP: Jo Pavey 8:43.23 2004
Defending champion (2020): Melissa Courtney-Bryant 9:48.54
Most wins: 9 athletes (Helen Clitheroe, Susan McGeorge, Lisa Dobriskey, Zara Hyde Peters, Thelma Bateman, Mary Stewart, Angela Davies, Jo Pavey, Laura Muir) 2
UK lead: Amy-Eloise Markovc 8:44.15
European indoor champion Amy-Eloise Markovc is the big favourite being the UK leader and having run a fast 1500m PB at Birmingham. Also entered are European indoor finalist Amelia Quirk and sub-nine performer this year Izzy Fry.
Women's 60m hurdles (world qualifier: 8.16)
CBP: Jessica Ennis-Hill 7.95 2013
Defending champion (2020): Yasmin Miller 8.29
Most wins: Lorna Boothe 5
UK lead: Cindy Sember 7.96
The clear UK leader Cindy Sember is absent but it should make it a closer race with just 0.06 of a second between Holly Mills, Megan Marrs, Jenna Blundell and Alicia Barratt on their 2022 times.
Women's high jump (world qualifier: 1.97)
CBP: Katarina Johnson-Thompson 1.97 2015
Defending champion (2020): Bethan Partridge 1.87
Most wins: Susan Jones-Moncrieff 7
UK lead: Emily Borthwick 1.95
Former world leader Emily Borthwick has been a revelation in 2022 but she was not at her best in the Müller Indoor Grand Prix where Laura Zialor was in good form and finished second equal beside the Olympic champion Mariya Lasitskene with a 1.91m PB.
No other British jumper has gone higher than 1.80m this winter.
Women's pole vault (world qualifier: 4.75)
CBP: Holly Bradshaw 4.77 2013
Defending champion (2020): Sophie Cook 4.50
Most wins: Janine Whitlock 7
UK lead: Jade Ive 4.35
With Olympic medallist Holly Bradshaw sitting out the winter, there will be no UK representative in Belgrade. The title should be fought out between reigning champion Sophie Cook and 2017 winner Jade Ive, while 18-year-old Sophie Ashurst looks a clear bet for third.
Women's long jump (world qualifier: 6.80)
CBP: Katarina Johnson-Thompson 6.75 2014
Defending champion (2020):Abigail Irozuru 6.70
Most wins: Ethel Raby 5
UK lead: Lorraine Ugen 6.71
Former world indoor bronze medallist Lorraine Ugen is out on her own at the top of the rankings but the title should see a closer affair than the 2022 lists suggest. Olympic finalists Abigail Irozuru and Jazmin Sawyers (6.46m in Torun this week) have yet to come anywhere near their best this winter but are proven competitors while consistent Lucy Hadaway should also be in the medal hunt.
Women's triple jump (world qualifier: 14.30)
CBP: Ashia Hansen 14.23 1999
Defending champion (2020): Naomi Ogbeta 13.83
Most wins: Michelle Griffith/Ashia Hansen 5
UK lead: Naomi Metzger 13.83
Naomi Metzger (Ogbeta when she won her last title) just missed out on the Olympics last year and here she enjoys a metre supremacy over the opposition and would be a major surprise if she did not win her third successive title. Lily Hulland looks the best bet for second.
Women's shot (world qualifier: 18.30)
CBP: Judy Oakes 18.57 1996
Defending champion (2020): Amelia Strickler 17.97
Most wins: Judy Oakes 18
UK lead: Sophie McKinna 18.53
Last time in 2020, Sophie McKinna was surprisingly beaten by Amelia Strickler but she has started in 2022 in great form and the great Judy Oakes' championship record is within her range. Surprisingly while she has won nine indoor medals, only one of them was gold. Strickler is entered but has yet to compete in 2022.
Women's pentathlon (world qualifier: n/a)
CBP: Julia Bennett 4297 (1998)
Defending champion (2020): Jonathan Davies 8:07.96
Most wins: Kelly Sotherton/Karla Drew 3
UK lead: Holly Mills 4597
Top of the rankings by 400 plus points, Holly Mills only competes in individual events. Katie Stainton won last year's British and English titles multi event title outdoors but she has barely competed in 2022 and based on the year's rankings England indoor runner-up this winter Jo Rowland has the best mark this winter.
Women's 3000m walk (world qualifier: n/a)
CBP: Gillian O'Sullivan (IRL) 12:17.56
Defending champion (2020) 5000W: Abigail Jennings 25:28.46
Most wins: Gillian O'Sullivan 3
UK lead: Bethan Davies 13:17.38
While the men's walks entry is dire, the women's is strong though Bethan Davies has a huge advantage by time on what is quite a youthful field. There are also men's and women's disability 60m where Paralympic champions Thomas Young and Sophie Hahn are clear favourites in combined ambulant categories.
Saturday timetable
10:00 Men’s heptathlon – 60m
11:10 Men’s heptathlon – long jump
11:20 Women’s 60m heats
12:05 Men’s 60m heats
12:40 Men’s heptathlon – shot put
12:50 Women’s 400m heats
13:12 Men’s triple jump final
13:20 Men’s 400m heats
13:50 Women’s 60m hurdles heats
14:13 Women’s pole vault final
14:15 Men’s 800m heats
14:34 Men’s heptathlon – high jump
14:42 Women’s 60m semi-final 1
14:51 Women’s 60m semi-final 2
15:00 Men’s 60m semi-final 1
15:06 Men’s 60m semi-final 2
15:12 Men’s 60m semi-final 3
15:17 Women’s triple jump final
15:20 Women’s 60m para final
15:30 Men’s 60m para final
15:40 Women’s 60m hurdles final
15:50 Men’s 3000m final
16:05 Women’s 60m final
16:15 Men’s 60m final
16:25 Women’s 800m heats
16:55 Men’s 1500m heats
17:15 Women’s 400m semi-final 1
17:23 Women’s 400m semi-final 2
17:30 Men’s high jump final
17:31 Women's 400m semi-final 3
17:35 Men’s shot put final
17:40 Men’s 400m semi-final 1
17:48 Men’s 400m semi-final 2
17:56 Men's 400m semi-final 3
18:05 Women’s 1500m final
Sunday timetable
10:37 Women’s pentathlon – 60m hurdles
10:45 Men’s heptathlon – 60m hurdles
11:35 Women’s pentathlon – high jump
11:40 Men’s long jump final
11:50 Men’s heptathlon – pole vault
12:00 Men’s 200m heats
12:30 Women’s 200m heats
13:00 Men’s 60m hurdles heats
13:25 Women’s 3000m walk final
13:30 Women’s pentathlon – shot put
13:45 Women’s long jump final
13:50 Men’s 3000m walk final
14:13 Men’s 60m hurdles final
14:23 Men’s heptathlon – 1000m
14:35 Men’s 800m final
14:45 Men’s 200m semi-final 1
14:49 Women’s pentathlon – long jump
14:54 Men’s 200m semi-final 2
14:57 Men’s pole vault final
15:02 Women’s 200m semi-final 1
15:05 Men's 200m semi-final 3
15:10 Women’s 200m semi-final 2
15:15 Women’s 3000m final
15:30 Men’s 1500m final
15:38 Women’s high jump final
15:43 Women’s shot put final
15:46 Women’s 400m final
15:56 Men’s 400m final
16:06 Women's 200m final
16:16 Men's 200m final
16:26 Women’s pentathlon – 800m
16:40 Women’s 800m final
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