17yo Brit Phoebe Gill runs European U18 800m record 1:57.86

She’d have been between #1 and #3 on my HS track team every year

Video available here ( Embedded to time stamp)

1:57 for someone who just turned 17 a month ago is crazy, and I agree that she’s definitely in shape to go to Paris if she can hold or improve on this form

It's the second fastest time ever for an under-18 after Wang Yuan, which is from 1993, so, y'know...

I thought sub-2 was coming this year, but 1:57 at that age is outrageous. Extraordinary talent. The only questions is if, at her age, it's best to protect her from the hype that would come from Olympic selection or if it's best to go and gain experience.

A pure 800m runner as she’s run 55.0/4:05 in the run-up. Though 4:05 also points to good strength. Probably a tough break to try and make a stacked British 800m team with 2 really good runners in place. If she gets 3rd, they better not pick Boffey over her or something.

Wow! Just watched this race. 56 first 400, then a 61. She didn’t seem too tired crossing the line.

56:56 over the first 400m

No question at all. Go to the Olympics. You have no idea what may happen in the future. Take the opportunity if it presents itself

It was time stamped.

Splits of 56.56/61.30, last lap solo. More to come....

British champs with her, Keely, and Jemma will be sensational! Boffey and Bell definitely will have their work cut out for them now.

They love Boffey though don’t they. This girl is so much better. With that time she deserves to be in Paris.

I like Bell but I fear her time at the 800m is over. She’s doing well at longer distances though now like 5k. I was hopeful that she would beat Boffey last night but she either had a bad night or just doesn’t have the top end speed anymore.

The selectors have shown repeatedly over the years they don’t like her so I don’t expect her to get a place. I’d like Gill to go over Boffey.

Those splits are not even the best way to run an 800. She went out too fast. Which means she should be able to run even faster this year.

Extremely impressive form. She didn't have much drafting aid, as the pacer was running wide by the 300m mark, if not sooner. To go out that hard, 56.56 and hold it together solo to go 61.3 on the second go-around, she must have more 400m ability than her pr shows, as well as more 1500m strength. I predict now that she will run 1:56 at least and break 4 this year. And all that at 17, hopefully just starting to come into her own. With drafting and people to follow in the Olympics or Diamond League, it'll be easier to run 56 and come back in 59-60.

To the Gills!

Profit while it's still time before the African women get more emancipation and do the male trick of filling all WR from 400m upward.

1:57 at 17. Perhaps you mean Phoebe (to the) Gills.