Josh Kerr, the 28-year-old British middle-distance runner, shattered the 27-year-old world mile record at the London Diamond League on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Competing before a capacity crowd of 60,000 at London Stadium, Kerr clocked a time of 3 minutes 42.66 seconds, breaking the previous record set by Moroccan runner Hicham El Guerrouj in 1999 by 0.47 seconds.

Kerr, who had targeted a sub-223-second mile as part of his “Project 222,” became the sixth Briton to hold the world mile record. El Guerrouj’s record was set when Kerr was just one year old. The 2023 world 1,500-metre champion had announced in March that he would aim to break the Moroccan’s record, incorporating 222-second ice-bath recoveries into his training regimen.

Based at his high-altitude home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Kerr said, “I am lucky to be able to string the training together.” Reflecting on his record-breaking race, he added, “The last lap was incredible. I was deaf in the last 110 metres [360 feet]!” He also credited the support around him, stating, “I am surrounded by amazing people and was just able to stay consistent, put the work in, and I knew I had 3:42 in me.”

In related athletics news, the Kenyan athlete who had been targeting David Rudisha’s 800-metre world record at the same stadium faded badly and was beaten by 24-year-old Miller. Additionally, double Olympic champion Duplantis experienced a first-time failure at 5.85 metres but cleared 5.95 metres before having strapping applied to his left thigh.

Sources