Middle distance runner Femke Bol, who announced last year she was switching from the 400 metres to the 800 event, has won her first formal race over that distance, setting a new Dutch record in the process.

Taking part in an international meeting in Metz, France, Bol won the race in 1.59.05, beating the previous Dutch record set in 2001 by almost a full second.

The time also means Bol, the world title holder in the 400 metres hurdles, has qualified directly for the world indoor championships in Poland in March.

“It actually went really well,” Bol said after the race. “I’m really happy with a time under two minutes, and setting a Dutch record in my first race.” Bol has spent much of the last three months training at altitude in South Africa.

The Dutch outdoor 800 metre record is still held by Olympic champion Ellen van Langen, who completed the distance in 1.55.54 in 1992.