Josh Kerr Breaks 25-Year-Old World Mile Record in London

British runner Josh Kerr made history on Thursday at the London Diamond League by breaking the world mile record. Kerr finished in 3 minutes and 42.66 seconds, beating the previous record of 3:43.13 set by Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj in 1999. The record had stood for 25 years, widely considered one of the toughest in athletics. Kerr, 26, is a middle-distance runner from Scotland. He won a bronze medal in the 1500 meters at the 2023 World Championships. Speaking after the race, Kerr said he felt strong and focused. The London crowd cheered him on as he crossed the finish line ahead of the field. The mile is a classic distance in track and field, though not run at major championships. Diamond League meets still feature the event, attracting top runners. El Guerrouj’s record had been seen as nearly untouchable, but Kerr’s performance shows the continued evolution of the sport. Kerr’s time is the fastest mile ever run under official conditions. The record is pending ratification by World Athletics. This achievement adds to a strong season for British distance running, with Kerr now a top contender for future global titles.