British athlete Josh Kerr broke the world mile record on Saturday during the London Diamond League. Competing at London Stadium, Kerr finished in 3:42.68 to surpass a mark that had stood for 27 years.
The 3:42.68 mark that ended El Guerrouj's 27-year reign
Josh Kerr's performance at London Stadium was a historic feat, as he beat Hicham El Guerrouj's 1999 record by 0.45 seconds. According to the report, the 28-year-old Scotsman was cheered on by a capacity crowd of 60,000 spectators during the London Diamond League meeting .
The race was a masterclass in pacing and endurance. Josh Kerr passed the 1,200m mark at two minutes 46.5 seconds and maintained an incredible pace, clocking 13.7 seconds for each of his final three 100m splits to secure the victory.
Project 222 and the 222-second recovery ice baths
The victory was the result of a calculated effort known as "Project 222," named for the total number of seconds required to break the world record. As the report says, Josh Kerr and his coach, Danny Mackey, implemented a rigorous training regie that even included recovery ice baths lasting exactly 222 seconds to mentally and physically align with the goal.
This obsessive attention to detail was documented by Josh Kerr leading up to the event. the 2023 world 1500m champion had announced his intention to break the Moroccan record on home soil back in March, transforming a sporting goal into a scientific project.
Brooks' carbon plates and laser-cut speed suits
Technical innovation played a significant role in the performance, with Josh Kerr wearing a bespoke speed suit provided by his sponsors, Brooks. This all-in-one garment featured laser-cut perforations designed to improve breathability in the July heat and enhance the athlete's aerodynamics.
The footwear was equally specialized. Josh Kerr utilized customized spikes featuring a carbon plate and an aggressive rocker for propulsion, while titanium pins were used to keep the shoes as lightweight as possible to maximize his biomechanics.
A sixth British record-holder in the mile's long history
By shattering the record, Josh Kerr becomes the sixth British athlete in history to hold the world mile record, continuing a storied tradition of UK distance running. This achievement is particularly poignant given that Hicham El Guerrouj's previous mark was set in 1999 , a year when Josh Kerr was only one year old.
The race also featured high-level competition, as American Yared Nuguse, who is fourth on the all-time list, pushed the Olympic silver medallist. Despite the pressure from Nuguse, Josh Kerr managed to shave nearly three seconds off his own personal best, earning a reward cheque of £38,000.
The identity of the two pacemakers and the race's pacing strategy
While the result is clear, the report leaves a few details unanswered, such as the specific identities of the two pacemakers who led Josh Kerr until the 1,000-metre mark. Furthermore, while the report notes that Josh Kerr's first 1,500m were faster than his own British record for that distance, it does not provide the exact split for that segment.
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