Kerr shatters mile world record on home soil
Great Britain’s Josh Kerr smashed the men’s mile world record at the London Diamond League, crossing the line in three minutes 42.66 seconds before a sell-out crowd of 60,000 at London Stadium. The 28-year-old Scot bettered Hicham El Guerrouj’s 27-year mark by nearly half a second, becoming the seventh British athlete to claim the record and the first since Steve Cram in 1985. Kerr had announced his intention to target the record back in March and delivered on that promise in emphatic fashion.
Relentless preparation fuels historic performance
Kerr’s coach Danny Mackey confirmed the Briton had set his sights on the goal since returning from a calf injury that ended his World Championships bid in Tokyo last September. The Edinburgh-born runner documented his preparations under the banner “Project 222,” referencing the seconds between him and history, culminating in a 1,200m time trial of 2:42.45 at altitude in Albuquerque. In London, Kerr wore a bespoke Brooks speed suit and spikes featuring a carbon plate and titanium pins, passing 1,200m in 2:46.5 before maintaining 13.7-second splits for the final three 100m sections.
After pacemakers dropped out at the 1,000m mark, Kerr pressed on alone toward the wavelights tracking his progress, moving through 1,500m faster than his British record over that distance. The emotion was evident as he raised his arms in celebration, telling BBC Sport the achievement felt overwhelming given the hype he had created. The five-time global medallist, who has twice made the Olympic podium and claimed three world titles including a stunning 1500m triumph in Budapest in 2023, admitted he may have declared his ambitions slightly early but credited his team for keeping him consistent.
Steve Cram, the last British man to hold the mile record, welcomed Kerr to what he called an exclusive club of world mile record holders, noting the event’s unique place in sporting consciousness since Roger Bannister first broke four minutes in 1954. Kerr, whose training is based in the United States, chose to target the record this season as the first in six years not culminating in a major global championship. He will now seek to replicate his success at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next month, describing his approach as doubling down rather than treating the year as an off-season.