SUMMARY
- Josh Kerr ran 3:42.66 to set a new men’s mile world record in London.
- The performance ended Hicham El Guerrouj’s 27 year reign as world record holder.
- Kerr finished more than three seconds ahead of American Yared Nuguse.
Josh Kerr delivered on his long stated goal by setting a new men’s mile world record at the Diamond League meeting in London on Saturday, becoming the first athlete in nearly three decades to break one of track and field’s most iconic records.
The 28 year old British runner crossed the finish line in 3 minutes, 42.66 seconds, improving on the previous world record of 3:43.13, established by Morocco’s Hicham El Guerrouj in Rome in 1999.
Kerr dominated the race from start to finish, crossing the line more than three seconds ahead of American Yared Nuguse, who finished in 3:45.69.
After confirming the record on the stadium scoreboard, Kerr celebrated with a lap of honor inside London’s packed Olympic Stadium.
Speaking after the race, Kerr said the atmosphere from the crowd helped drive him through the closing stages.
He described the final stretch as an unforgettable experience, saying he focused only on reaching the finish while maintaining his pace until the line.
The performance marked a significant improvement over Kerr’s previous personal best of 3:45.34, recorded in 2024.
Unlike many elite athletes who race frequently throughout the Diamond League season, Kerr built much of his 2026 campaign around this single attempt.
Earlier in the year, he publicly announced his intention to attack the world record and structured his training specifically for the London meeting.
The mile, while not contested at Olympic Games or World Championships, remains one of athletics’ most celebrated distances.
British runner Roger Bannister famously became the first athlete to break the four minute barrier in 1954, giving the event a lasting place in sporting history.
Kerr entered the race as the Olympic silver medalist in the 1,500 meters from the Paris 2024 Games. The record run also produced an impressive 1,500 meter split of 3:27.62, improving Kerr’s own British record for that distance.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe praised Kerr’s execution after the race, calling the performance “foot perfect” and welcoming the return of the mile world record to British hands.
Elsewhere at the London Diamond League, Olympic 800 meter champion Keely Hodgkinson won her event in 1:56.21 despite recovering from recent injuries.
Brandon Miller claimed an unexpected victory in the men’s 800 meters, while Julien Alfred won the women’s 200 meters and Kanyinsola Ajayi captured the men’s 100 meters. Pole vault star Mondo Duplantis withdrew during competition because of a thigh injury.
Kerr’s achievement ends one of athletics’ longest standing world records and adds another milestone to Britain’s rich history in the mile.
His victory also demonstrates how athletes can tailor an entire season around a single performance target when major championship events are absent from the calendar.
The London Diamond League served as Kerr’s primary objective during a season without the Olympic Games or World Championships.
His carefully planned preparation, combined with designated pacemakers and specialized racing equipment, helped create the conditions needed for the record breaking performance.
TABLE
| Statistic | Details |
|---|---|
| Winner | Josh Kerr (Great Britain) |
| Event | Men’s Mile |
| Time | 3:42.66 |
| Previous Record | 3:43.13 |
| Previous Record Holder | Hicham El Guerrouj (Morocco) |
| Previous Record Set | Rome, 1999 |
| Runner-up | Yared Nuguse (USA) |
| Runner-up Time | 3:45.69 |
Kerr said he always believed he had a 3:42 performance in him after maintaining consistent preparation throughout the season.
Sebastian Coe described the race as “absolutely incredible,” praising Kerr’s composure and execution while highlighting the significance of the record returning to a British athlete.
The sources do not confirm Kerr’s next competitive appearance or future race schedule following his record-breaking performance.
FAQ
How fast did Josh Kerr run to break the mile world record?
Josh Kerr completed the mile in 3 minutes, 42.66 seconds, breaking the previous world record of 3:43.13 that had stood since 1999.
Whose record did Josh Kerr break?
Kerr surpassed the men’s mile world record held by Morocco’s Hicham El Guerrouj, whose 3:43.13 performance in Rome had remained unbeaten for 27 years.
Who finished second in the race?
American runner Yared Nuguse placed second with a time of 3:45.69, finishing just over three seconds behind Kerr.
Sources:
