Kerr Smashes 27-Year Mile Record in London

​British middle-distance star Josh Kerr delivered a masterclass at the London Diamond League, obliterating one of the longest-standing records in athletics.

​Before a deafening, sell-out crowd of 60,000 at the London Stadium, the 28-year-old clocked a breathtaking time of three minutes 42.66 seconds in the men’s mile. In doing so, Kerr erased Morocco’s Hicham El Guerrouj’s legendary 1999 mark of 3:43.13, achieving the precise goal he publicly mapped out months prior under the banner of “Project 222”.

​Aided early on by disciplined pacing from training partner Brannon Kidder and Slovenian Zan Rudolph, Kerr took complete control of the race as it entered the final stages. American challenger Yared Nuguse hung valiantly onto the shoulder of the Olympic medallist through the early splits, but had no answer for the Scot’s searing acceleration over the final 200 metres. Pushing through the 1500m mark even faster than his own national record, Kerr crossed the finish line to become the first man in history to dip under the 3:43 barrier, leaving the crowd roaring and securing his permanent place among British athletics royalty.

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​Josh Kerr’s record-breaking run

​This video provides an immediate reaction and technical breakdown of the historic race as Josh Kerr shatters the long-standing world record in London.