Laura Muir ran 800m in less than two minutes for the first time in her career as she roared back to form at the Lausanne Diamond League meeting on Thursday night.
The 24-year-old, who broke the British 1500m record as she won gold at the European Indoor Championships in Belgrade in March, struggled with a stress fracture in her foot earlier this season but was in fine fettle in Switzerland as she joined the sub-two club.
Inverness-born Muir clocked a new personal best of 1:58.69 but only after starting at a cautious pace, hanging behind the rest of the field.
She slowly went through the gears, however, and made her move down the back straight, passing a host of other competitors before attacking round the final bend.
On the final straight, Muir battled all the way with fellow Scot Lynsey Sharp and finished strongly to seal fifth place under that magic two-minute mark, with her compatriot recording a season’s best 1:58.80.
Burundi’s Francine Niyonsaba crossed the line first.
“Muir is back! I’m emotional and just delighted to be here,” said the Brit, who also won the 3000m at March’s European Indoor showpiece, becoming only the second British athlete after Colin Jackson to win two European Indoor titles at the same event.
“You don’t realise the value of something until it is taken away from you. The last month has been difficult but I am gradually getting back. It was a very good field here.”
Muir is aiming to compete in the 1500m and 5000m at August's World Championships in London.
She added: “I need to think about how I progress from now until London and after that. For the moment, all I can say is Muir is back.”
Meanwhile, 20-year-old high jumper Morgan Lake, who racked up a personal best of 1.96m at last weekend’s British trials, finished fourth with a clearance at 1.93m while Rio 2016 4x400m relay bronze medallist Eilidh Doyle ran a season’s best 54.36 as she finished third in the 400m hurdles.
Doyle, who won a fourth British title on Sunday, said: “I’m very happy. It was a good race for me.
“I was calm and focussed at the start and gained in confidence as the race progressed. I had a very satisfying performance at the British Trials and I’m happy I can carry that form onto the circuit.
“I am in a good state of mind heading to London.
“I want to be happy with what I do there – I don’t want any regrets. Let’s see how it unfolds.”
Former European champion James Dasaolu was fifth in the men’s 100m in 10.12s while Bianca Williams ran 22.94s as she finished seventh in the women’s 200m and Lorraine Ugen was fifth in the women’s long jump.
Sportsbeat 2017