British athlete Josh Kerr achieved a historic milestone on Saturday, breaking the world record for the mile at the Novuna London Athletics Meet. Held at London Stadium as part of the 2026 Wanda Diamond League, the event saw Kerr finish in 3 minutes and 42.66 seconds. This performance eclipsed the previous world record of 3 minutes and 43.13 seconds, set by Moroccan runner Hicham El Guerrouj in Rome in 1999, by nearly half a second.
Speaking to BBC Sport after the race, the 28-year-old Edinburgh native acknowledged the pressure surrounding his goal. Kerr had publicly announced his intention to challenge the record in late March, during a track season that notably lacked both Olympic Games and world championships. He described the experience as overwhelming, noting that while calling his shot early carried significant risks, he was supported by a dedicated team that helped him stay consistent.
Kerr’s preparation for what his coach, Danny Mackey, dubbed "Project 222" involved high-altitude training in Albuquerque, N.M., which he shared through a series of online videos. The meticulous planning included custom spikes and a specialized speed suit provided by Brooks Running. During the race, two training partners assisted in maintaining his pace, allowing Kerr to finish approximately 3 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher, American runner Yared Nuguse. Jake Heyward of the UK placed third.
This achievement holds special significance for Kerr, who becomes the seventh British runner to hold the mile world record. He joins a prestigious lineage that includes Roger Bannister, the first athlete to break the four-minute barrier in 1954, as well as Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett, who famously traded the record three times in just 10 days during 1981. For Kerr, securing the record on British soil added a layer of historical weight to the accomplishment.
An alumnus of the University of New Mexico, Kerr holds an Olympic silver medal from the 2024 Paris Games and is the 2023 world champion in the 1500m. His collegiate career included holding the men's 1500m record from 2018 until 2021, when it was surpassed by Nuguse. Reflecting on the strategy, Coach Mackey noted that the team closely monitored the track circuit to see if anyone else might break the record before the July 18th meet, but they remained focused on the specific requirements needed for Kerr to succeed in London.
