British runner Josh Kerr breaks 27-year-old mile world record in London
Josh Kerr shattered a 27-year-old global milestone at the London Diamond League, highlighting the enduring public appeal of track and field as European athletes prepare for next month's continental championships.
Great Britain’s Josh Kerr broke the men’s mile world record at the Diamond League meeting in London on Saturday, clocking a time of 3.42.66. The former 1500 metres world champion shaved 0.47 seconds off the previous mark of 3.43.13 set by Morocco’s Hicham El Guerrouj in 1999.
The achievement underscores the sustained marketability of historic athletic milestones. Kerr’s performance earned him a $50,000 (£37,000) prize in front of a packed London Stadium, demonstrating the financial incentives that continue to drive elite participation in events outside the traditional Olympic programme.
Kerr acknowledged the intense preparation required to reach this level, noting that while he "was just a body running", the feat relied on incredible behind-the-scenes work from his entire team. "I think if I'm going to leave my mark on this sport as a British athlete with the legends I have behind me and following in their footsteps, I have to be able to do those performances," he told the BBC.
On the same card, Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson won the women’s 800 metres but fell short of breaking the sport’s oldest standing world record. She finished in 1.56.21, remaining outside the 1983 mark set by Czechoslovakia’s Jarmila Kratochvilova.
Hodgkinson’s attempt was severely hampered by a recent training accident in Wigan. While cooling down after a session, she tripped and landed on a metal grate, sustaining shredded knees that disrupted her preparations.
Despite the setback, Hodgkinson chose to compete primarily to appear before her home supporters, describing her emotions as mixed. "Life is sometimes unfair and doesn't go your way or how you imagined it, and it's how you deal with that," she said.
The focus now shifts to next month’s European Championships in Birmingham, where Hodgkinson is expected to make another attempt at the record. This could set up a notable continental showdown with Swiss runner Audrey Werro, who has recently posted the third and fourth fastest times in the event.
Kerr’s historic run and Hodgkinson’s resilient return illustrate the high stakes of the European track calendar. These events continue to deliver both compelling sporting narratives and measurable commercial value for the region.
