Josh Kerr Shatters 27-Year-Old Mile World Record With Stunning Run in London

British middle-distance star Josh Kerr produced one of the greatest performances in modern athletics by breaking the men's mile world record that had remained untouched for nearly three decades , delivering a breathtaking run at the Diamond League meeting in London on Saturday.

The 28-year-old clocked an astonishing 3:42.66 , eclipsing the previous world record of 3:43.13 set by Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj in Rome back in 1999 . The iconic mark had long been considered one of the most difficult records to break in track and field, making Kerr's achievement all the more remarkable.

Competing before a jubilant home crowd at London Stadium , Kerr dominated the race from start to finish. His blistering pace left the field trailing, as he crossed the finish line more than three seconds ahead of American Yared Nuguse , who finished second in 3:45.69 .

After confirming his place in athletics history, Kerr celebrated with an emotional lap of honour as thousands of fans rose to applaud the historic feat. His previous personal best of 3:45.34 , set in 2024, highlighted just how extraordinary Saturday's performance was.

With no Olympic Games or World Championships on this year's calendar, Kerr had identified the Diamond League mile as one of his primary targets for the season. Months of preparation culminated in a performance that rewrote the record books.

Although the mile is not contested at major global championships, it remains one of athletics' most celebrated events. Its rich history includes Roger Bannister's legendary achievement as the first athlete to break the four-minute barrier in 1954, a milestone that transformed middle-distance running forever.

Already an Olympic silver medallist in the 1,500 metres from the Paris 2024 Games , Kerr has now added another defining chapter to his career. By ending a 27-year reign of one of athletics' most enduring records, the British runner has secured his place among the sport's all-time greats.