British athlete Josh Kerr has established a new milestone in track history, setting a world record for the mile with a time of 3 minutes, 42.66 seconds. The performance, delivered at a Diamond League meet in London, eclipsed the previous world record of 3 minutes, 43.13 seconds held by Moroccan legend Hicham El Guerrouj since 1999. The 28-year-old runner from Edinburgh celebrated the achievement with a lap of honor around the London Stadium.
Reflecting on the race, Kerr noted the intense atmosphere, stating, "It was just me, my shoes and the track. I was absolutely deaf in that last 110 meters." He finished comfortably ahead of American runner Yared Nuguse, who secured second place with a time of 3:45.69. During a post-race interview with the BBC, Kerr described the crowd's support as incredible and detailed his internal experience during the final stretch. He explained that while he did not take his foot off the gas, he felt a sensation of gliding, remarking that it felt incredible even while he was slowing down. His primary goal was to cross the line with a time under 43 seconds, making the final result a significant success.
This record-breaking feat marks a major progression for Kerr, whose previous personal best was 3:45.34, set earlier in 2024. The runner, who claimed the world championship title in 2023, has been a central figure in middle-distance running alongside 2021 Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen. The two have maintained a high-profile rivalry, often debating the influence of pacesetters in major championships. Their competition continued through the Paris Olympics, where American Cole Hocker secured an upset victory, with Kerr taking second and Ingebrigtsen finishing fourth. With no Olympic or world championship events on the calendar for this year, Kerr focused his training on the mile—a distance steeped in historical significance since Roger Bannister first broke the four-minute barrier in 1954.
"I didn't take my foot off the gas," he continued, "but … I started to glide and I was like 'oh wow this feels incredible.' It's incredible because I'm slowing down. So, I was like 'I better get to the line.' So, crossing the finish line, seeing 42-something — anything — was my goal, so it was great."
At the world championships last year, Ingebrigtsen faltered in a preliminary heat while Kerr pulled up lame and limped into the finish in a final won by Issac Nader of Portugal.
