Great Britain’s Josh Kerr smashed the long-standing men’s mile world record with a spectacular performance at the London Diamond League.
Having announced his intention back in March to break Hicham El Guerrouj’s 27-year mark on home soil, Kerr delivered in emphatic fashion as he crossed the line in three minutes 42.66 seconds.
Roared on by a sell-out crowd of 60,000 at London Stadium, the five-time global medallist bettered the Moroccan’s mark – untouched since 1999, when Kerr was aged one – by nearly half a second.
The 28-year-old became the seventh British athlete to claim the mile record, and first since Steve Cram in 1985.
Kerr had lined up as the sixth-fastest man in history over the mile with a British record personal best of 3:45.34.
He was joined on the start line in London by American Yared Nuguse, fourth on that all-time list and a genuine threat to the Olympic silver medallist’s challenge.
But, in the end, it was only ever going to be Kerr.
Initially assisted by two pacemakers, who were both gone by the 1,000m mark, the Scot was peerless as he pressed on in pursuit of the wavelights on the curb of the track measuring his progress.
Bringing the crowd to their feet, Kerr went through 1500m faster than his British record over that distance and never wavered, with the emotion evident on his face as he raised his arms aloft in celebration.
Kerr, always unapologetically bold in declaring his ambitions, announced he would target the world record in London four months before this historic run – and has worked relentlessly towards backing that up since.
His coach, Danny Mackey, confirmed the Briton had set his sights on that goal since returning from the calf injury which ended his bid for gold at the World Championships in Tokyo last September.
The 28-year-old documented his preparations in the lead-up to Saturday’s record attempt, titling his endeavours ‘Project 222’ in reference to the total number of seconds standing between him and history.
That culminated in a 1,200m time trial which suggested he was in the shape to achieve it, clocking 2:42.45 to leave him with more than one minute to cover the remaining 400m.
One caveat to that time is that Kerr did have a running start. However, he also recorded the time more than 5,000 feet above sea level in Albuquerque, and would not have the limiting effects of altitude to contend with on home soil.
In London, Kerr was kitted out in a bespoke speed suit and spikes created by sponsors Brooks, with the former designed to both enhance his aerodynamics and improve breathability in the warm temperatures through laser-cut perforations.
The spikes, designed to maximise his biomechanics, featured a carbon plate and aggressive rocker for propulsion, and titanium pins to keep the shoe light.
Having passed the 1,200m mark in 2:46.5, Kerr maintained his pace – clocking 13.7 seconds for each of the final three 100m splits – to once again back up his belief he could surpass El Guerrouj’s time.
More to follow.
