With 100 days to go until the Birmingham World Indoor Tour Final, world 1500m champion Jake Wightman has confirmed he will race at the Utilita Arena on Saturday 25 February 2023.
Wightman has enjoyed a landmark 2022 track season as he added European 800m silver and Commonwealth 1500m bronze to his ever-growing collection, following his triumph in Eugene where he superbly beat the Olympic champion, the Norwegian, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, to the gold medal.
The event, which hosts the Final of the prestigious World Indoor Tour series, will see him looking to impress the Birmingham crowd as he competes in front of home support for the first time since the Commonwealth Games in the summer.
The unique distance has an illustrious history at the Birmingham venue as it is where Ethiopian, Kenenisa Bekele, set the world indoor 2000m record back in 2007; the record-breaking time still standing 16 years on at 4:49.99. With news that the European Championships are coming to the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham in 2026 following a successful winning bid last week, February’s indoor event once again showcases that the city is one of the leading hosts of world-class sport in the world.
On racing back in Birmingham next year, Wightman said, “When I was offered the chance to run indoors over 2000m in Birmingham next February I couldn’t resist. I love testing myself over-distance and the chance to go for a fast time on that track isn’t something you get to do every day!
“The Birmingham crowd have always been amazing for me and the reception I got at the Commonwealth Games this summer after winning the World Championships was pretty memorable. If they can make half that noise for me in February, I’ll be well on my way to a fast time.”
He added, “It’s great that the European Championships in 2026 have been awarded to Birmingham. It will be a brilliant host to a championship we’ve never had here in the UK, and the World Indoor Tour final in February will be a great way to celebrate that success.”
