Britain's Josh Kerr broke the 27-year-old men's mile world record at the London Diamond League on Saturday, delivering a performance he had publicly promised months earlier.
Key facts
- Josh Kerr of Great Britain broke the men's mile world record.
- The previous record had stood for 27 years.
- The record was set at the London Diamond League on Saturday.
- Kerr ran in front of a sell-out crowd in London.
- Kerr had announced his record bid months in advance.
British runner Josh Kerr has broken the men’s world record for the mile, a mark that had stood for 27 years, according to Sky News. The achievement came in front of a sell-out crowd in London.
The record fell at the London Diamond League on Saturday. The BBC described the run as a spectacular performance, reporting that Kerr smashed the long-standing men’s mile world record.
The result was no surprise in one sense: NPR reported that Kerr had announced his bid to break the world record months in advance, then followed through on the plan in London.
The packed stadium provided the backdrop for the feat, with Sky News noting the sell-out crowd that witnessed the record being broken.
Kerr’s success caps a build-up in which he had publicly set out his ambition, adding to the anticipation surrounding his appearance at the Diamond League meeting.
Why it matters
World records in the mile are rare and long-lasting, so breaking a mark that stood for nearly three decades is a landmark moment for athletics. For British sport, it delivers a home-soil triumph in front of a sell-out crowd.
Frequently asked questions
Who broke the mile world record?
British runner Josh Kerr of Great Britain broke the men's mile world record, according to Sky News, NPR and the BBC.
Where and when did Josh Kerr set the record?
He set the record at the London Diamond League on Saturday, in front of a sell-out crowd in London.
How old was the previous mile record?
The previous men's mile world record had stood for 27 years before Kerr broke it.