Josh Kerr Shatters 27-Year-Old Mile Record
Josh Kerr breaks the 27-year-old mile world record in London, running 3:42.66.
The update
Josh Kerr ran a 3:42.66 mile at the London Diamond League on Saturday, breaking Hicham El Guerrouj’s 27-year-old world record by 0.47 seconds. Kerr, a 28-year-old from Britain, shaved nearly three seconds off his own personal best during the race.
Why it matters
This marks the first time the mile record has been broken since 1999. It also makes Kerr the sixth Briton to hold the title. The race took place in front of a capacity crowd of 60,000 at London Stadium. Kerr had announced his bid to break the record months in advance as part of his “Project 222” training plan.
What to watch
El Guerrouj set the previous record in 1999. Kerr’s training partner, Brannon Kidder, paced him during the race. Kerr said the last lap was overwhelming and that he was “deaf in the last 110 meters.” The atmosphere at the stadium was raucous, with the crowd on their feet as Kerr crossed the finish line.
Sources
- Al Jazeera — Time, margin of victory, crowd size, and race details.
- NPR — Context on the 27-year-old record and Kerr's preparation.