Twelve months ago, Charlie Dobson sped to an emphatic 400m victory to claim the British outdoor title before enjoying a spectacular breakthrough season — and less than four weeks from now, the Colchester athlete intends on repeating his winning ways at the Novuna UK Athletics Championships in Birmingham (August 2–3) en route to a World Championship one-lap debut.

The 25-year-old sprinter enjoyed a sensational 2024 campaign, highlighted by a maiden Olympic appearance, his first major international senior medal and a personal best improvement of almost a full second — scorching to 44.23 in the London Diamond League in July.

Guided by Leon Baptiste, the 2010 Commonwealth 200m champion, Dobson’s 44.56 national glory in Manchester marked the beginning of an eye-catching summer which saw him go on to capture the European outdoor silver medal in Rome with a 44.38 clocking behind Belgium’s Alexander Doom (44.15), and reach the Olympic semi-final stage in Paris with 44.48.

The glittering finale to his dream summer then arrived with Olympic 4x400m bronze in 2:55.83 with British teammates, Matthew Hudson-Smith, Lewis Davey and Alex Haydock-Wilson, alongside the wider team of Sam Reardon and Toby Harries.

On the importance of the Novuna UK Athletics Championships, notably in preparation for September’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Dobson explained:

“There are very few chances to practice the rounds, navigate yourself through the heats and deal with the media before the World’s, so the British Champs are very important to do.

“I’ve not competed in Birmingham since the Alexander Stadium was renovated so I’m looking forward to racing there — I’m sure it will be a great crowd and hopefully the weather will be on our side.”

Having placed fifth in Birmingham over 200m at the 2019 edition of the event, the world junior silver medallist from 2018 continued:

“I’m not expecting the final to be easy — Sam (Reardon)’s stepped up his game this year (with 44.60 at the European Team Championships in Madrid and Toby Harries is pushing his way down towards sub-45 (with 45.13 in Geneva last month). Plus I’m not sure if Matthew Hudson-Smith (the Olympic and world silver medallist) will be there. It should be a great competition and exciting to watch.”

The new season has started well for Dobson — first on the agenda was a trip to China for the World Athletics Relays in May, where he helped the British 4x400m team to qualify for Tokyo with 3:01.38, ahead of going on to finish fifth in the Rome Diamond League last month, registering a strong 44.64 for his 2025 400m opener.

A surprise winner of Brussels Diamond League back in September 2024, Dobson is satisfied with his form and relished the fierce battle in the USA at the Prefontaine Classic last weekend:

“Training started a month later than usual with the World’s being so late this year but I’ve had a solid winter and it was amazing to qualify for Tokyo with the relay boys — it was good fun and a great chance to get some important practice in together,” he recalled.

“I’ve been working hard so I was pleased with Rome and Pre is a big field — it will be one of the hardest races of the year for me and it’s amazing to have a lane in that race, I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity.”

Dobson faced that challenge head-on at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, finishing sixth in a world-class line-up with a solid 44.65 — a performance that keeps him firmly among the contenders for Birmingham and beyond.

Another vital race outing on Dobson’s calendar before his Birmingham appearance is the Novuna London Athletics Meet, Diamond League on July 19:

“I feel in great shape and am really looking forward to the London Diamond League — I have happy memories of running my PB there last year so it will be amazing to run in such an iconic stadium again and with such an amazing full crowd — that will be nice preparation for the British Champs,” he said.

Once his Tokyo selection is sealed, Dobson has high hopes of taking his major championship résumé up another gear with a top-8 performance in Tokyo together with some relay silverware to complement the World Championship 4x400m relay bronze medal he earned in Budapest in 2023:

“I’m absolutely hoping for a relay medal in Tokyo — that would be very special and we have a great chance,” Dobson insisted.

“Individually, I’d of course like to make the final — I was disappointed not to make it in Paris last year so I’ve got a lot more fire in me now, and anything can happen once you’re in that final.”

And looking ahead to 2026, the temptation of a continental championship on home turf in Birmingham is understandably another major event hard to resist:

“Having the European Championships is definitely something I want to be a part of — after getting the silver last year, taking the gold would be incredible,” revealed Dobson.

“The crowd support will be amazing and I’ll hopefully be at the peak of my career then — I’m hopefully only just getting started.”

The Novuna UK Athletics Championships heads to the Alexander Stadium, Birmingham between 2-3 August as the nation’s best athletes battle for national titles and spots on the team for this year’s World Athletics Championships. Expect world-class performances, intense rivalries, and unforgettable moments. Tickets are on sale now from £20 adults / £10 under-16s. Don’t miss it!