Josh Kerr Shatters Mile World Record, Inspired by Bannister

WHO:

Runner's World - Brooks designed Kerr a custom racing spike named the Hyperion 222 for the record attempt.

NPR - Kerr publicly announced his bid to break the mile world record in late March.

NPR - Kerr's coach is Danny Mackey.

AP News - Kerr is a native of Edinburgh.

Daily Mail Sports - Kerr was cheered on by a crowd of 60,000 fans at the London Stadium during his record-setting run.

Daily Mail Sports - Josh Kerr, a 28-year-old British runner.

Yahoo Sports - Hicham El Guerrouj, previous record holder.

WHAT:

Runner's World - Kerr's new record time of 3:42.66 was achieved with a custom-designed shoe and speed suit.

Runner's World - The custom spike was engineered for a fast, sustained race at world-record pace, featuring permanent titanium pins.

Runner's World - The speed suit was designed with two-fabric construction for aerodynamics and breathability, including laser-cut perforations.

Daily Mail Sports - Kerr's record time of 3:42.66 surpasses the previous record by nearly half a second.

Yahoo Sports - Kerr's new record of 3:42.66 is recognized as the fastest mile time in history.

AP News - Kerr finished more than three seconds clear of American Yared Nuguse, who ran a time of 3:45.69.

NPR - Kerr trained in the high altitude of Albuquerque, N.M.

NPR - The UK's Jake Heyward finished third in the race.

NPR - Kerr's record attempt was part of "Project 222," referring to the number of seconds needed to break the world record.

AP News - Kerr celebrated with a lap of honor at London Stadium after breaking the record.

AP News - Kerr's previous best time was 3:45.34 in 2024.

AP News - Kerr finished more than three seconds clear of American Yared Nuguse, who ran a time of 3:45.69.

AP News - Kerr finished more than three seconds clear of American Yared Nuguse, who ran a time of 3:45.69.

AP News - Kerr stated, “It was just me, my shoes and the track. I was absolutely deaf in that last 110 meters.”

AP News - Kerr described the crowd support as “just incredible,” adding, “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.’ So, crossing the finish line, seeing 42-something — anything — was my goal, so it was great.”

Yahoo Sports - Kerr's new record of 3:42.66 is now recognized as the fastest mile time in history.

Daily Mail Sports - Josh Kerr shattered the 27-year-old world mile record.

Yahoo Sports - Kerr completed the mile in a time of 3:42.66.

Yahoo Sports - The previous record was 3:43.13, set by Hicham El Guerrouj in 1999.

Yahoo Sports - Kerr's new record beats his previous personal best of 3:45.34 by nearly three seconds.

Yahoo Sports - Kerr won a silver medal in the mile event at the 2024 Olympics and a bronze in the 1500m in 2020.

Yahoo Sports - Kerr won a gold medal in the 1500m at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.

WHERE:

Daily Mail Sports - The record was set at the London Stadium.

Yahoo Sports - The event was part of the Diamond League meet in London.

WHY:

NPR - Kerr made the mile his key target this year because there were no worlds or Olympics on the schedule.

AP News - Kerr made the mile his key target this year, as there were no worlds or Olympics on the schedule.

HOW:

Runner's World - The custom spike was approved by World Athletics for competition just prior to the record attempt.

Yahoo Sports - Brooks designed Kerr's racing spikes to accommodate his asymmetrical push-off and unique biomechanics.

Yahoo Sports - The speed suit was crafted to enhance aerodynamics and breathability, featuring laser-cut perforations that release heat and humidity while enhancing mobility.

NPR - Two training partners helped Kerr maintain pace to beat the record.

AP News - Kerr frequently sparred with Jakob Ingebrigtsen on the track and online in the early 2020s.

Yahoo Sports - Brooks designed Kerr's racing spikes to accommodate his asymmetrical push-off.

Yahoo Sports - Kerr was sponsored by Brooks, which designed a specialized speed suit and racing spikes for him.

Yahoo Sports - The suit was crafted to enhance aerodynamics and breathability, featuring laser-cut perforations.

Yahoo Sports - The spikes were designed for Kerr's biomechanics, including his unique foot strike and demand for an ultra-aggressive ride.

Yahoo Sports - The record attempt was part of "Project 222," named for the exact number of seconds needed to set a new world record.

QUOTES:

Yahoo Sports - Kerr stated, "My body is capable of the mark, and so my job tomorrow is to have my mind to be available to let my body do its job. It's time for that record to have a real go at it and I'm going to be that guy to do it."

Kerr has set a new record time of three minutes and forty-two point sixty-six seconds, achieved while wearing a custom-designed racing spike named the Hyperion 222 and a specially engineered speed suit. The Hyperion 222 features permanent titanium pins for a fast, sustained race at world-record pace, while the speed suit incorporates a two-fabric construction for optimal aerodynamics and breathability, complete with laser-cut perforations. Notably, the custom spike received approval from World Athletics for competition just before Kerr's record attempt.