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British runner Josh Kerr ran the fastest mile in history on Saturday, in 3 minutes and 42.66 seconds, breaking the world record for the men’s mile at the London Diamond League.
Kerr’s historic run broke Moroccan Hicham El Guerrouj’s mark of 3:43.13, set in Rome in 1999, ending a record that had stood for 27 years, according to the Associated Press.
The 28-year-old then took a celebratory lap around London Stadium after cementing his place in athletics history.
SABASTIAN SAWE COMPLETES LONDON MARATHON IN UNDER TWO HOURS TO BREAKING MEN’S WORLD RECORD
Josh Kerr of Team Great Britain celebrates after winning the men’s 1 mile final and setting a new world record during the Novuna London Athletics Meet, part of the Wanda Diamond League 2026, at the London Stadium on July 18, 2026, in London. (Harry Murphy/Getty Images)
Video shared by the Diamond League on X captured the historic moment as Kerr threw his arms in the air after crossing the finish line as the packed stadium erupted.
The league’s official account said: “History made by Josh Kerr!
The former University of New Mexico star finished more than three seconds ahead of American Yared Nuguse, who crossed the line in 3:45.69. Britain’s Jake Heyward finished third with a personal best of 3:46.73, according to official results released by World Athletics.
SABASTIAN SAWE COMPLETES LONDON MARATHON IN UNDER TWO HOURS TO BREAKING MEN’S WORLD RECORD
Team Great Britain’s Josh Kerr poses next to a board displaying his new world record. (Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Reactions poured in on social media shortly after Kerr’s record-breaking run.
Team Scotland wrote on
The official Olympics
SABASTIAN SAWE COMPLETES LONDON MARATHON IN UNDER TWO HOURS TO BREAKING MEN’S WORLD RECORD
Josh Kerr celebrates moments after breaking the world record in the men’s mile at the London Diamond League as his fellow competitors finish behind him. (Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Kerr had targeted the London Diamond League mile as one of her main goals this season, which does not include the Olympics or World Championships, according to the AP.
Speaking to BBC Sport after the race, Kerr said the atmosphere inside the London Stadium helped him get through the final stretch.
“It was just me, my shoes and the track,” he told the outlet. “I was absolutely deaf for those last 110 meters.”
“I didn’t take my foot off the gas,” Kerr continued. “But… I started getting high and I was like, ‘Oh wow, this is amazing.’ It’s amazing because I’m slowing down. So I said to myself, “I better get to the line.” “So to cross the finish line, to see 42 and above, whatever, that was my goal, so it was awesome.”
Kerr also reflected on the pressure he put on himself after publicly declaring months ago that he would pursue the record.
Josh Kerr of Team Great Britain celebrates after winning the men’s 1 mile final and setting a new world record during the Novuna London Athletics Meet, part of the Wanda Diamond League 2026, at the London Stadium on July 18, 2026, in London. (Harry Murphy/Getty Images)
“It’s very overwhelming to see all the hype [I created]”, he told BBC Sport. “It’s stupid to call [the attempt] this early because there are a lot of things that can go wrong, but I’m surrounded by amazing people and I’ve been able to stay consistent and get the job done. »
Kerr said he hoped the performance would help define his legacy in British athletics.
“If I want to leave my mark on this sport as a British legend, following in the footsteps of the legends behind me, I have to deliver these performances,” he told BBC Sport.
“These performances tax every part of you, every part of your team. The amount of work behind the scenes is incredible. Today was a performance I was able to pull off – I was just hoping it would be a little quicker!”
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Before turning professional, Kerr played at the University of New Mexico, where he won three NCAA titles, won eight Mountain West championships and set the collegiate record in the 1,500 meters, according to the school’s athletics website.
Saturday’s performance shaved nearly three seconds off Kerr’s previous personal best of 3:45.34 and erased one of the oldest track and field world records, according to World Athletics.
