Imagine a world record so old it had stood since before the runner who broke it was born – and then imagine that runner, a 28-year-old Scot, smashing it in front of 60,000 roaring fans on home soil. That is exactly what Josh Kerr did on a balmy Saturday evening at London Stadium, shaving nearly half a second off Hicham El Guerrouj's 27-year-old mile record to run 3 minutes 42.66 seconds.
The mile is one of athletics' most storied distances – an imperial hangover from the sport's early days that still captivates because it demands both speed and stamina. Kerr, a five-time global medallist, had announced his intention to target the record back in March, and he delivered with a performance that had the sell-out crowd on its feet. Two pacemakers helped him through the early stages, but from the 1,000-metre mark he was alone, chasing wavelights on the track that measured his progress. When he crossed the line, the emotion was plain on his face.
“Explaining how Josh Kerr broke the 27-year-old mile world record and what it means for UK athletics.”
To understand the significance, you need to know the history. The previous record, 3:43.13, was set by Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj in Rome in 1999 – a time that had seemed untouchable for a generation. Before that, Britain's Steve Cram had held the record from 1985. Kerr is now the seventh British athlete to claim the mile world record, and the first since Cram. His time also means he bettered his own British record of 3:45.34.
For UK readers, this is more than just a number. Kerr, from Edinburgh, is part of a strong tradition of British middle-distance running. His coach, Danny Mackey, said the target had been set after Kerr's bid for gold at the World Championships in Tokyo last September was cut short by a calf injury. The way Kerr backed up his bold talk with a world record on home soil is a reminder that British athletics can still produce genuinely world-beating talent. The London Diamond League meeting, held at the Olympic stadium, also saw other British stars like Keely Hodgkinson win, but Kerr's run was the headline.
Q: How does the mile world record work and why is it significant? The mile is a distance of 1,609 metres – roughly four laps of a standard track. It is not an Olympic distance, but it has a long history and is considered a classic test of speed and endurance. A world record is the fastest time ever recorded under official conditions.
Q: Who held the record before Josh Kerr, and how long had it stood? The previous record was held by Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj, who ran 3:43.13 in Rome in 1999. That record stood for 27 years – longer than Kerr had been alive (he was born in 1997). Before El Guerrouj, Britain's Steve Cram held it from 1985.
Q: How did Kerr prepare for this attempt? Kerr announced his intention to break the record in March 2025, four months before the race. He worked with his coach Danny Mackey, focusing on consistency and staying injury-free after a calf problem ended his 2024 World Championships. He also used pacemakers and wavelights on the track to guide his pace.
What happens next? Kerr has already set his sights on Olympic gold – he won silver in the 1500 metres at Tokyo 2021. With his mile record, he has cemented his place as a British legend-in-waiting. The athletics world will now watch to see if he can replicate that form at major championships, and whether he will target the 1500m world record (which is also held by El Guerrouj). For now, he can enjoy a moment that, as he put it, takes "every single part of you and your team" to achieve.