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British runner Josh Kerr ran the fastest mile in history on Saturday at 3 minutes 42.66 seconds to smash 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, and ended a record that had stood for 27 years, according to The Associated Press.
The 28-year-old then took a celebratory lap around the London Stadium after cementing his place in athletics history.
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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 the London Stadium on July 18, 2026 in London. (Harry Murphy/Getty Images)
Video shared by 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 declared: “History made by Josh Kerr!”
The former University of New Mexico standout finished more than three seconds ahead of American Yared Nuguse, who crossed in 3:45.69. Great Britain’s Jake Heyward finished third in a personal best of 3:46.73, according to the official results published by World Athletics.
SABASTIAN SAWE FINISHES LONDON MARATHON IN UNDER TWO HOURS TO BREAK MEN’S WORLD RECORD
Josh Kerr of Team Great Britain poses next to a sign showing his new world record finish. (Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Reaction poured in on social media shortly after Kerr’s record-breaking run.
Team Scotland wrote on X: “A new world record. Congratulations to Josh Kerr who broke the long-standing world record in the mile with an incredible 3:42.66. What a performance.”
The Olympic Games’ official X account also celebrated the feat, writing: “History made. Great Britain’s Josh Kerr roars to a world record in the men’s mile, setting a 27-year-old record in 3:42.66 at the London Diamond League.”
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Josh Kerr celebrates moments after breaking the world record for the men’s mile at the London Diamond League as other competitors finish behind him. (Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Kerr had targeted the London Diamond League mile as one of her primary 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 carry him through the final stretch.
“It was just me, my shoes and the pitch,” he told the outlet. “I was absolutely deaf in the last 110 meters.”
“I didn’t take my foot off the gas,” Kerr continued. “But … I started sliding and I was like, ‘Oh wow, this feels incredible.’ It’s amazing because I’m slowing down. So I thought, ‘I better get to the line.’ So my goal was to cross the finish line, see 42-something, anything, so that was great.”
Kerr also reflected on the pressure he put on himself after publicly declaring months ago that he wanted to chase the record.
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 the London Stadium on July 18, 2026 in London. (Harry Murphy/Getty Images)
“It’s very overwhelming with the amount of hype [I created],” he told BBC Sport. “It’s a stupid call [the attempt] so early because there are a lot of things that can go wrong, but I’m surrounded by great people and was able to stay consistent and put in the work.”
Kerr said he hoped the achievement would help define his legacy in British athletics.
“If I’m going to make my mark on this sport as a British legend, follow in the footsteps of the legends behind me, I’ve got to put in those performances,” he told BBC Sport.
“Those performances take 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 produce – I just hoped it would be a little bit faster!”
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Before turning pro, Kerr starred at the University of New Mexico, where he won three NCAA titles, captured eight Mountain West championships and set the collegiate record in the 1,500 meters, according to the school’s athletics website.
Saturday’s performance lowered Kerr’s previous personal best mile time of 3:45.34 by nearly three seconds and erased one of track and field’s longest world records, according to World Athletics.
