Britain’s Josh Kerr thrilled the home crowd by breaking the men’s one mile world record at the London Diamond League on Saturday.
The reigning world champion clocked 3:42.66 to erase the 27-year-old mark of 3:43.13 set by Moroccan great Hicham El Guerrouj in 1999.
Josh Kerr of Team Great Britain celebrates after winning the 1 Mile Men’s Final and setting a new World Record during the Novuna London Athletics Meet, part of the 2026 Wanda Diamond League, at London Stadium on July 18, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images)
Kerr led a high-quality field that included American rival Yared Nuguse, who finished second in a season’s best 3:45.69, Britain’s Jake Heyward, who was third in a personal best 3:46.73, and Germany’s Robert Farken, who set a national record of 3:46.82 in fourth.
Josh Kerr of Team Great Britain celebrates after winning the 1 Mile Men’s Final and setting a new World Record during the Novuna London Athletics Meet, part of the 2026 Wanda Diamond League, at London Stadium on July 18, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Backed by a packed London Stadium, Kerr executed his long-planned “Project 222” to break one of athletics’ most revered records.
Josh Kerr of Team Great Britain celebrates after winning the 1 Mile Men’s Final and setting a new World Record during the Novuna London Athletics Meet, part of the 2026 Wanda Diamond League, at London Stadium on July 18, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images)
The record-breaking run further strengthens Kerr’s reputation as one of the world’s top middle distance athletes and ranks among the highlights of the 2026 Diamond League season.
