Great Britain's Josh Kerr broke the world record for the mile at the London Diamond League, ending a mark that had stood for 27 years, while Keely Hodgkinson's 800m record attempt fell short.
Key facts
- Josh Kerr broke the men's mile world record at the London Diamond League on 18 July 2026.
- The previous record was held by Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj, set in 1999.
- Kerr beat the record by half a second, according to the BBC.
- The event took place at London Stadium.
- Keely Hodgkinson failed in her bid to break the 800m world record at the same event.
British runner Josh Kerr has broken the world record for the mile, a mark that had stood for 27 years, at the London Diamond League event on Saturday, according to Sky News.
The record had been held by Morocco’s Hicham El Guerrouj since 1999. The BBC reported that Kerr beat El Guerrouj’s long-standing mark by half a second during the competition at London Stadium.
The BBC described the moment as “unbelievable” in its coverage of the run.
While Kerr enjoyed a career-defining performance, the same event brought disappointment for another British athlete. Sky Sports reported that Keely Hodgkinson failed in her bid to break the world record in the 800m, which it described as the oldest world record in athletics.
Why it matters
World records that last for decades are rare in athletics, so breaking a 27-year-old mile mark is a significant achievement for British sport.
Frequently asked questions
Who held the mile world record before Josh Kerr?
According to the BBC, the previous record was held by Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj, who set it in 1999.
Where and when did Josh Kerr break the record?
He broke the record at the London Diamond League event held at London Stadium on 18 July 2026.
Did Keely Hodgkinson also break a record at the event?
No. Sky Sports reported that Hodgkinson failed in her bid to break the 800m world record, which it described as the oldest world record in athletics.