EDINBURGH’S Josh Kerr, has broken the one mile running world record, besting the 27-year-old record set by Moroccan Hicham El Gerrouj.
The Scottish Olympic silver medallist and 2023 World Champion ran the 3:42.66 mile in front of a sell-out London crowd at the Diamond League running meet at the London Stadium yesterday.
Kerr set out to break the record set out in March to achieve what he called “Project 222” – a reference to the number of seconds he needed to achieve to beat the record.
Kerr ran in a specialty black running suit and spikes, while pacemakers led him around the track before leaving Kerr to sprint to the finish – far clear of the rest of the pack.
Following the race, he told The BBC: “It was just incredible, that last lap, it was just me, my shoes and the track. I was absolutely deaf in the last 110 metres.
“I didn’t take my foot off the gas, but… I started to glide and I was like ‘oh wow this feels incredible’. It’s incredible because I’m slowing down.
“So, I was like ‘I better get to the line’.”
Despite the immensity of his achievement, the 28-year-old, who attended George Watson’s College and the University of New Mexico, actually thought he could have been faster:
“Today, that was a performance I was able to bring out – I hoped it was going to be a little bit faster, but that’s alright.”
The mile is not typically run at the Olympics and World Championships, so must be tested at specific track meets like the Diamond League in London.
Roger Bannister famously became the first person to run a mile in under four minutes in 1954, and the record is now back in the hands of a British athlete for the first time since 1993.
The praise soon flooded in after yesterday’s achievement.
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney said: “World record! History made by Scotland’s Josh Kerr. A remarkable achievement – you have made Scotland proud, Josh.”
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Robert Aldridge also passed on his regards: “Edinburgh’s own Josh Kerr has made history!
“Breaking the men’s mile world record and ending a 27-year reign. What an unbelievable achievement!! Congratulations Josh!”
The Proclaimers posted on social media: “Congratulations to Josh Kerr for breaking the mile record. It’s stood for 27 years.”
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