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Josh Kerr is the fastest man ever across 1 mile as world record broken at Diamond League meet
Home>Athletics
Updated 17:17 18 Jul 2026 GMT+1Published 16:26 18 Jul 2026 GMT+1

Josh Kerr is the fastest man ever across 1 mile as world record broken at Diamond League meet

The mile world record had previously been held for 27 years by Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

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Josh Kerr is the new world record holder over one mile after an incredible run during the latest Diamond League meeting.

The 28-year-old, who won silver over 1500 metres at the 2024 Olympics, clocked a time of 3:42.66 at the London Stadium to break the previous world record by almost three seconds.

He powered clear of the field on the final lap to finish comfortably ahead of his biggest rivals, USA's Yared Nuguse and his Team GB team-mate Jake Heyward.

Kerr, who was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, punched the air after crossing the line before celebrating in front of a capacity 60,000 crowd at the London Stadium.

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Watching on was 2012 Olympic gold medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill.

You can watch the end of Kerr's record-breaking run below:

OH MY GOD.
JOSH KERR.
3:42.66 MILE.
WORLD RECORD.
THE ATMOSPHERE WAS DEAFENING. #LondonDL pic.twitter.com/VCej8ld8m3

— Owen (@_OwenM_) July 18, 2026

As well as his mile record, Kerr also set his own personal best over 1,500 metres.

His 1500m was timed at 3:27.65, narrowly beating his previous British record of 3:27.79 back at the 2024 Olympics. A mile is ran over exactly 1609.34 metres.

Kerr had announced his intention to try and break the world record back in March, and can now call himself the fastest man on the planet over that distance.

He titled his ambition 'Project 222' - running the race in three minutes and 42 seconds flat - and publicised his training in the build-up.

He told BBC Sport post-race: "It's very overwhelming, with the amount of hype. It's silly to call [the attempt] that early, because there's a lot of things which can go wrong, but I am surrounded by amazing people and was able to stay consistent and put the work in.

"If I am to leave my mark on this sport as a British legend, following in the footsteps of the legends behind me, I have to put in those performances.

"Those performances take every single part of you, every single part of your team.

"The amount of work behind the scenes is incredible. Today, it was a performance I was able to bring out. I just hoped it would be a little bit faster!"

Kerr becomes fourth British athlete to hold track world record

Only three British runners - Keely Hodgkinson, Dina Asher-Smith and Amber Anning - hold world records when it comes to athletics track events.

Hodgkinson, who won her 800-metre event in London on Saturday, already held a world record over the same distance, while Asher-Smith and Anning's times were set as part of relay teams.

Hodgkinson, the reigning Olympic champion over 800 metres, did not break her existing record in London after a challenging start to her outdoor season.

But she did manage to finish clear of Netherlands star Femke Bol, who has begun racing over a longer distance this season having previously competed over 400m.

Hodgkinson said she had 'mixed emotions' despite taking home the win, but added: "I think I'm going to take the positives that it's been a tough couple of weeks, not everything always goes your way and goes to plan.

"The only reason I came here today was because I wanted to run in front of a home crowd. So I'm happy to get that out of the way. Got the Europeans next, and we just build on from here."

Featured Image Credit: Getty / BBC Sport

Topics: Athletics, Team GB

Ryan Smart
Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.

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