With less than eight months to go until newly rebranded The Belfast Classic, formerly known as the Belfast Irish Milers Meet, Race Director Eamonn Christie has a stellar line up already assembled for the Ardent Wealth Women’s International 800m on May 9th.
The Race Director has confirmed that the 2025 British 1500m Champion and World University Games Silver Medalist, Sarah Calvert will join the Women’s International 800m in May.
The University of Edinburgh athlete represented Britain at the 2025 World University Games and won the silver medal in the 1500m.
Calvert ended the 2025 track season with a surprise victory in the British Championships. The Scottish athlete powered down the home straight to take the British title, beating fellow Scot and Olympic Medallist Laura Muir.
The Race Director has also confirmed the return of last year’s winner of the Ardent Wealth Women’s International 800m, Abigail Ives.
Ives stormed to victory in Belfast, clocking a new personal best of 1:59.49. The British athlete went on to win a European Bronze Medal in the Under 23 Championships in Norway and rounded off her track season with a Bronze Medal at the British Championships, finishing 3rd to Georgia Hunter-Bell and Jemma Reekie.
Issy Boffey, who placed fourth to Ives in the British Championships 800m final is also set to return to Belfast for The Belfast Classic.
In 2025 Boffey opted for the one lap distance and took a podium position in the Women’s International 400m, clocking 53.59 for 3rd place. At the 2026 Belfast Classic, Boffey will be hoping to secure the qualifying standard to represent Wales at the 2026 Commonwealth Games over 800m.
Irish athletes will also feature highly in Belfast over the prestigious 2 laps, with the return of 2 time winner Louise Shanahan and Jenna Bromell.
Shanahan broke the Irish 800m in 2022 clocking 1:59.42. Returning the following year, Shanahan done the double and took victory again, in another sub 2 minute performance of 1:59.53. The former Irish Record holder will be hoping for another victory in Belfast on May 9th.
Jenna Bromell had an outstanding performance at the 2025 Belfast Irish Milers Meet, clocking a personal best of 2:00.53 and will be hoping for another podium finish at the 2026 Belfast Classic.
Since 2021, the women’s international 800m has been won in sub 2 minutes for the 2 lap distance. The record stands at 1:57.86 which was set in 2024 by British Olympian Phoebe Gill.
“I’m delighted athletes, agents and coaches are getting in contact wanting to race at The Belfast Classic” Commented Race Director Eamonn Christie.
Race Director Eamonn Christie welcomes the return of long time sponsor Ardent Wealth, who will once again sponsor the Women’s International 800m at the 2026 Belfast Classic. This event will be one of the headlining events that concludes the race programme.
The Belfast Classic will take place on Saturday 9th May 2026 from 12-5pm at the Mary Peters Track in Belfast. The event is free admission for spectators.