Josh Kerr breaks world mile record in London

British middle‑distance runner Andrew Kerr delivered a historic performance at the London Diamond League meeting, completing the mile in 3:42.66. The time eclipses the long‑standing world record of 3:43.13 set by Morocco’s Hicham El Guerrouj in 1999, improving the mark by 0.47 seconds and marking the first sub‑3:43 mile in more than a quarter‑century. Kerr’s run came in the final of the men’s mile, where he held off a competitive field that included several Olympic and World Championship medalists, and was verified by the event’s official timing system and ratified by World Athletics.

The new record places Kerr among an elite group of distance runners and underscores a resurgence in middle‑distance performance on the global stage. Analysts noted the combination of favorable weather, a fast track, and a well‑paced race as contributing factors, while the achievement is expected to influence upcoming championship preparations. World Athletics confirmed the record’s validity, and the performance is set to be celebrated as a milestone in track and field history.