Ben Higgins retires from athletics due to “heart issue” – AW

The British 400m runner revealed that he’s had to step away from the sport after receiving medical advice from doctors

Ben Higgins, who became British indoor 400m champion three years ago, has had to retire from athletics due to a “heart issue”.

The 24-year-old revealed on his Instagram that he had to step away from the sport after receiving medical advice from doctors.

“After deep reflection and personal contemplation, I share the difficult decision to step away from athletics, a sport I’ve poured my soul into for the past 17 years”, Higgins said. “After much medical advice, I have been told that I must put an end to my athletics career to due to heart issue.

“This journey has been everything to me. The pride of representing my country at a World and two European Championships will never leave me. The sport has provided me the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Every race and every challenge has shaped me in ways that I can never fully express.

“Though this chapter is closing, I carry with me the lessons, the friendships and the incredible memories. Athletics has taught me resilience, discipline and the power of pushing through pain – physically, mentally and emotionally, although this is what ultimately broke me.

“Thank you to everyone that has supported me along the way – my coaches, sponsors, family and training partners. While this isn’t the ending that I envisioned, I’m incredibly grateful for the journey I’ve had and for all the experiences that have made me who I am today. Everything I achieved would’ve meant nothing if I didn’t share it with those who’ve been there all the way.”

Higgins leaves athletics with a packed CV, having represented Great Britain at multiple international championships.

At the 2022 World Indoor Championships in Belgrade, he was part of the men’s 4x400m squad that placed sixth, combining with Alex Haydock-Wilson, Sam Reardon and Guy Learmonth to clock 3:08.60 in the Serbian capital.

Then, at the 2023 European Indoor Championships in Istanbul, Higgins – alongside Reardon, Joe Brier and Lewis Davey – recorded a mark of 3:08.61 in the men’s 4x400m relay, finishing fifth in the final.

Domestically, Higgins excelled and became British indoor 400m champion in 2022, edging out James Williams in Birmingham.

A year later, Higgins was involved in a similarly close finish at the Utilita Arena but just missed out on the national indoor 400m crown to Lee Thompson.

His respective personal bests in the 400m – indoors and outdoors – are 46.55 and 46.15.

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