Josh Kerr breaks one mile world record in blazing run at London Diamond League

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Josh Kerr has broken the men’s one mile world record with a staggering run at the Diamond League at the London Stadium.

The Briton, 28, bettered Moroccan Hicham El Guerrouj’s 27-year-old time (3:43.13) from 1999 by coming home in an astonishing 3:42.66.

The 2023 world 1,500m champion delivered on his word, having announced his intent to rewrite the history books in March, capitalising on a year without an Olympics or World Championships in 2027.

In breaking the record, Kerr beat out competition from the USA’s Olympic medalist Yared Nuguse to win the race outright, with compatriot Jake Heyward third and Germany’s Robert Farken fourth.

Kerr’s 1,500m split also confirmed a new British 1,500m record, topping his previous mark (3:27.79) by almost three hundredths of a second in 3:27.51.

And his one mile record was in the balance with 400m remaining, with the clock at 2:46.39 and requiring a sub-57 final lap to create history.

Britain’s Josh Kerr celebrates after breaking the men’s 1 mile world record (Reuters)

But Kerr stormed home, moving away from a gritty Nuguse and the wave lights on the bend before erupting in joy to the delight of the London Stadium crowd, which included the legendary Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics and a former one mile world record holder, who was seen applauding.g

Kerr will now reset, focusing on recovery before a mouthwatering one mile race in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with compatriot Jake Wightman and Australian sensation Cameron Myers competing for the gold.

More to follow…