British athlete Josh Kerr has cemented his place in track history, setting a new world record in the mile at a Diamond League meet held in London. The 28-year-old Edinburgh native completed the distance in 3 minutes and 42.66 seconds, successfully eclipsing the long-standing mark of 3 minutes and 43.13 seconds set by Moroccan legend Hicham El Guerrouj in Rome back in 1999.
Following his record-breaking run, Kerr celebrated by taking a lap of honor around London Stadium. Reflecting on the intense final moments of the race, Kerr noted that he was essentially isolated with his equipment and the track, adding that he was completely deaf during the final 110 meters of the event. He finished well ahead of the competition, with American runner Yared Nuguse taking second place with a time of 3:45.69.
Kerr described the crowd's support as he approached the finish line as incredible. He recounted his internal experience during the final stretch, noting that while he did not ease off his pace, he felt a sensation of gliding. He expressed relief at seeing a time starting with 42, which had been his primary goal for the race. This performance marks a significant improvement from his previous personal best of 3:45.34, which he set earlier in 2024.
The achievement comes after a high-profile rivalry between Kerr and 2021 Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen. The two have frequently traded barbs, both online and on the track, particularly concerning the use of pacesetters in major championships. Their competitive history includes recent events such as the Paris Games, where American Cole Hocker secured an upset victory, with Kerr finishing second and Ingebrigtsen placing fourth. Furthermore, during last year's world championships, Ingebrigtsen struggled in the preliminary heats while Kerr faced physical difficulties in a final won by Portugal's Issac Nader. With no major global championships on the schedule this year, Kerr focused his efforts on the mile, a distance known for its historical significance dating back to Sir Roger Bannister’s sub-four-minute feat 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."
