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Josh Kerr Smashes Mile Record 3:42.66 in London

7/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Josh Kerr ran 3:42.66 to break the men’s mile world record at the London Diamond League.
The sub-223-second mile completed Kerr’s season-long “Project 222” plan to topple the 27-year-old record.
Two pacemakers set splits of 54.75 and 1:50.63 before Kerr pulled ahead for the record run.
A crowd of about 60,000 watched Kerr lap the stadium and receive a $50,000 bonus cheque.

History

Historical Context

On 6 May 1954 Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile at Oxford’s Iffley Road Track, aided by pacemakers Chris Chataway and Chris Brasher before a crowd of about 3,000. Seventy-years later, Kerr’s 2024 London Diamond League mile, paced by teammates in an Eliud Kipchoge style and worth a $50,000 bonus, echoes Bannister’s strategic pacing and the enduring quest to push speed limits.

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Story summary

Josh Kerr ran 3:42.66 to break the men’s mile world record at the London Diamond League.
The sub-223-second mile completed Kerr’s season-long “Project 222” plan to topple the 27-year-old record.
Two pacemakers set splits of 54.75 and 1:50.63 before Kerr pulled ahead for the record run.
A crowd of about 60,000 watched Kerr lap the stadium and receive a $50,000 bonus cheque.

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