Josh Kerr has announced he will attempt to break the mile world record at the 2026 London Diamond League in July. Kerr’s current personal best in the distance is over two seconds slower than the 1999 benchmark set by Moroccan Hicham El Guerrouj, though his rivals Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Yared Nuguse have got closer in recent years. Kerr will also run the mile at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Josh Kerr will attempt to break the mile world record, which has stood since 1999, at the London Diamond League in July.
Moroccan Hicham El Guerrouj ran the mile in 3:43.13 in Rome 27 years ago and since then no one has even beaten the time of the second-placed runner in the same race: Kenya’s Noah Ngeny.
Kerr’s best time over the distance is currently 3:45.34, though his rivals Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Yared Nuguse have both got within a second of El Guerrouj’s time in recent years.
“This sport needs moments. I think that setting my goals and being very clear on that is a huge part of giving this record the respect that it deserves,” Kerr told BBC Sport.
“To do it in front of a British crowd would just make it extremely special. It is going to be a tough one but I truly think that I am capable of going after these times.”
Kerr’s date with destiny will take place at the London Stadium on July 18, and he is also running the mile at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games live on TNT Sports and HBO Max as the race returns to the competition after a 60-year hiatus.
If he succeeds, then he will be the latest in a long line of high-profile British record-holders over the distance, starting with Roger Bannister who became the first person to break the four-minute barrier for the mile in 1954.
Sebastian Coe, Steve Ovett and Steve Cram have also held the mile record, though Kerr is now the fastest Brit to run the distance.
“It was non-negotiable to do it in the UK,” Kerr added. “I think that is massively special. It is time to bring the mile world record home.
“We have an amazing history of milers in this country and it is important to go after these records when you are capable.
“It has been a huge goal of my career. It is one of the oldest world records on the track and I think it is one of the most important ones.
“It has stood the test of time and needs a huge amount of respect. With the training numbers that we are putting up, I think this year is such a great opportunity to have a real crack at it while not giving up other opportunities.
“It is something that I feel confident to talk about going after. It is a really exciting time.”