2023 British Athletics Championships

In April 2023, UK Athletics confirmed that the 2023 British Athletics Championships would be held in Manchester on 8 and 9 July.[1] The Championships were used as the main qualification method for the 2023 World Athletics Championships in August 2023;[2] competitors qualified automatically for the World Championships if they finished in the top two in the event, and reached the competition's qualifying standard. UK Athletics could then allocate an additional World Championships place for each event.[3] On 28 July, UK Athletics announced that 51 British athletes had been selected for the World Championships, based on these criteria;[4] the number was the lowest since 2005, as UK Athletics did not allow British athletes to receive wildcard places for the World Championships.[5] In the United Kingdom, the Championships were shown on BBC both on television and online.[6]

The British title in the 10,000 metres was held in May 2023 as part of the Night of the 10,000m PBs event. The races featured British and non-British athletes, and the top finishing Britons, who were awarded the British titles, were Jessica Warner-Judd and Andrew Butchart respectively.[7]

Zharnel Hughes won both the 100 and 200 metres events.

There was heavy rain during the first day of the Championships,[8] which caused the men's 100 metres race to be run in the middle of a downpour.[9] The men's 100 and 200 metres events were both won by Zharnel Hughes,[10][11] making him the first man to achieve the British Championships sprint double since Marlon Devonish in 2007.[10] Hughes' time of 19.77 seconds for the 200 metres race was faster than John Regis' British record, however a large tailwind prevented Hughes' time from counting for record purposes.[10] After the race, Hughes described the conditions as "the worst ever".[9]

The women's 100 metres race was delayed due to the rain,[8] and was won by Dina Asher-Smith, her fifth British title in the event.[8][12] The race was run in dry conditions.[8] Daryll Neita, who won the 100 and 200 metres events in 2022, retained her 200 metres title. She had chosen only to run the 200 metres race at the 2023 Championships.[11]

Molly Caudery won the women's pole vault ahead of Holly Bradshaw, who had not lost in the British Championships since 2010. Caudery qualified for the World Championships as a result.[12] Katie Snowden was a surprise winner of the 1500 metres race, beating favourite Laura Muir.[11]