Josh Kerr breaks mile world record with 3:42.66 run in London

Josh Kerr ran a mile in 3:42.66 at the Diamond League meeting in London on Saturday, establishing a new world record and improving on the previous best of 3:43.13 set by Hicham El Guerrouj in 1999. The 28-year-old, primarily a 1500-metre specialist, had recorded a personal best of 3:45.34 earlier in the year, which placed him among the ten fastest mile performances historically.

Kerr, who earned a silver medal in the 1500 m at the 2024 Olympics and a bronze in the same event at the 2020 Games, also won gold in the 1500 m at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest. His preparation was supported by sponsor Brooks, which provided a custom speed suit and racing spikes designed to match his biomechanics.

"My body is capable of the mark, and so my job tomorrow is to have my mind to be available to let my body do its job. It's time for that record to have a real go at it and I'm going to be that guy to do it," Kerr said before the race.

The performance marks a new benchmark for the mile, a distance that is rarely featured in major international championships.