Josh Kerr sets new WORLD RECORD for the fastest mile run – as Brit smashes 27-year mark in front of 60,000 fans at London Stadium
Josh Kerr broke the 27-year-old world mile record in extraordinary scenes at the London Stadium on Saturday.
The 28-year-old Englishman, who was enthusiastically welcomed by a crowd of 60,000 people at the London Diamond League meeting, ran three minutes and 42.68 seconds, breaking Hicham El Guerrouj’s long-standing record by 0.45 seconds.
He aimed for a race of 222 seconds and achieved this, becoming the sixth British athlete in history to hold the distance record.
El Guerrouj broke the world record in 1999, when British record holder Kerr was just one year old.
The 2023 world 1500 meters champion announced in March that his aim was to break the Moroccan’s record on home soil, and he prepared a training regime that included 222-second recovery ice baths to make this a reality.
‘The amount of exciting ads is overwhelming [I created].
‘It’s stupid to call [the attempt] It’s so early because there are so many things that can go wrong, but I’m surrounded by great people and I’ve been able to stay consistent and get to work,” Kerr told BBC Sport.
‘If I want to leave my mark on this sport as a British legend, following in the footsteps of the legends behind me, I need to deliver these performances.
Josh Kerr celebrates after breaking the 27-year-old world mile record in Stratford
Kerr stormed off in front of 60,000 people at the London Diamond League Meeting today
Kerr ran a targeted race of 222 seconds and achieved this, becoming the sixth British athlete in history to hold the distance record.
Kerr emerged victorious after setting a new world record by winning the men’s one-mile final
Scotsman brings crowd to its feet with daring challenge to world record
‘These performances take every part of you, every part of your team.
‘The amount of work that goes on behind the scenes is incredible. It was a performance that I was able to put forward today; I was just hoping it would be a little faster!’
Kerr, who was presented with a check for £38,000 for breaking the record, shaved almost three seconds off her personal best.
The record had not been touched since 1999, when Kerr was a year old.
But now he’s improved by almost half a second, making Kerr the sixth-fastest man in history.
He was joined at the starting line today by American Yared Nuguse, who is fourth on the all-time list and the Olympic silver medalist’s fierce rival.
Still, the Scot prevailed. He set off with two pacemakers, both leaving at 1000 metres.
His first 1500 meters were faster than the British record for that distance and he did not stop there; He continued to the finish line with an emotional finish.
He raised his arms in joy as he crossed the finish line, punching the air as the crowd rose to its feet.
Josh Kerr has always made his bold ambitions known, announcing four months before this historic run that he would aim to break the mile world record in London.
It was a strong comeback for the athlete, who saw her gold medal dreams shattered by a calf injury at the World Championships in Tokyo last September.
His coach Danny Mackey confirmed the Briton had targeted the world record months ago and the pair have been working non-stop since then to achieve it today.
