The 2023 world 800m bronze medallist beat the 2022 world 1500m champion by just one hundredth of a second in Tooting

Ben Pattison edged out Jake Wightman in a thrilling 800m race at the British Milers’ Club meeting in Tooting (August 21).

In what was billed as a head-to-head between the two major global medallists, just one hundredth of a second separated them at the line, with Pattison and Wightman clocking 1:45.07 and 1:45.08 respectively.

The duo once duelled over two laps at the 2022 European Championships – Wightman secured silver and Pattison placed sixth – but this leafy setting in Tooting Bec was rather different to the 69,250 capacity Olympic Stadium in Munich.

With wavelight technology helping the athletes around the track, the field went through 400m in 50.72 and, with around 200m to go, Wightman pushed on the pace at the front.

Pattison, in his bright red adidas kit, responded in kind and the pair were neck and neck as they approached the home straight. It wasn't surprising to see such a close finish and both will now potentially look ahead to next month's World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

Selection is formalised next week but Pattison and Wightman should both be confident in the 800m and 1500m respectively. At this month's Gyulai István Memorial, Pattison ran 1:44.14 – his third quickest ever mark over two laps – while Wightman clocked 3:31.58 for fourth in the metric mile at the London Diamond League.

"I didn't get out as fast I wanted to so I had to stay patient," Pattison said. "I thought it was good practice as I tend to find myself in these positions often. I often kick later but with someone like Jake I couldn't give him too much of a gap. I kicked past him but with about 20 metres to go I think the wheels fell off for both of us! I'm happy to get the win.

"It's been a difficult year in general and it was only really the week before British Championships I was able to get a full training week in. I've had a few issues here and there so I never had the consistency, which I have now. My sessions have sometimes improved by one and a half seconds a time and, whether I'm in Tokyo or not, I'll be in great shape in September.

"I wanted to run the British record this year [Seb Coe's 1:41.73 has lasted since 1981] and that was my target. I was in crutches in February though so it's not been ideal. This has been a long time coming."

 

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Wightman added: "It's good to see Ben back as I know he's had a lot of problems with injuries. I'm sure by Tokyo he'll be absolutely flying. I was out with him in Flagstaff last November and December so I know how good and professional he is.

"I was hoping to put Tokyo selection in my own hands at the trials but I got sick on the Saturday beforehand. I saw the doctor on Wednesday who gave me antibiotics but I was just wiped out then. I was gutted not to make it and thought the worst could happen but luckily for me I've got a chance of going. I was also gutted not to get the rounds in for trials so for me this was about getting through a tactical race. Ben is one of the best at that so it was good to race him.

"I believe I can go to Tokyo and do well in a final but I have to take it just one step at a time. Plus enjoy being back at this level because I haven't been here for a long time."

Revée Walcott-Nolan continued where she left off from running 3:59.89 in Budapest a fortnight ago with a personal best over 800m in Tooting.

The European indoor 1500m bronze medallist clocked 1:59.05 (previous best was 1:59.69 from 2024) to take the victory, with Erin Wallace and Issy Boffey running 1:59.62 and 1:59.68 for second and third respectively.

Walcott-Nolan placed third behind Sarah Calvert and Laura Muir in the 1500m at the UK Athletics Championships and will find out if she's officially been selected for Tokyo next week.

Another standout performer at the BMC meet in Tooting was Adam Fogg, who triumphed in the 1500m with a time of 3;34.11, just short of his personal best of 3:34.00.

That mark was actually a split from his indoor 3:49.85 mile from Boston back in February but his season's best outdoors is the 3:35.24 from Ostrava in June.

Fogg dominated this 1500m and won by over a second, with Thomas Keen second in 3:35.22 and Nick Griggs third in 3:35.25.

Phil Norman won the 3000m steeplechase at the UKA Athletics Championships and also triumphed over the distance in Tooting, clocking 8:20.15 in what was the last event of a packed evening.

That mark was just short of the Brit's personal best of 8:18.65 from last season's national championships, with the automatic world qualification standard for Tokyo being 8:15.00.

More to follow.