UK’s Josh Kerr smashes longstanding world mile record in London

Josh Kerr of the United Kingdom has set a new world record in the mile event at the London Diamond League, becoming the sixth British runner to hold the distinction. Running at London Stadium on Saturday, Kerr completed the distance in three minutes and 42.66 seconds, breaking a record that had stood since 1999 when Moroccan runner Hicham El Guerrouj set the previous mark.

Kerr's achievement came as part of a deliberate training initiative he had announced earlier in the year. The 28-year-old had incorporated specialized recovery methods into his preparation, including ice-bath sessions lasting 222 seconds as part of what he termed "Project 222." He was supported during the race by pacemakers including his training partner Brannon Kidder and Slovenian runner Zan Rudolph, with Olympic bronze medallist Yared Nuguse staying competitive until the final stages.

The record-breaking run took place before a capacity crowd at the London Stadium, with Kerr describing the final stages of the race as overwhelming. He acknowledged the contribution of his support team and training environment, which he credited with enabling the performance. Kerr, who is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is also a two-time world indoor 3,000-metre champion and the 2023 world 1,500-metre champion.

The achievement places Kerr among Britain's celebrated middle-distance runners, following in the tradition of earlier record holders including Roger Bannister, who became the first person to run a sub-four-minute mile in 1954, and later legends Steve Ovett, Sebastian Coe, and Steve Cram. World Athletics President Sebastian Coe presented Kerr with a $50,000 prize and a commemorative book.