- Kerr breaks the 27-year-old world mile record and received a US$50,000 bonus for this achievement.
- Kerr expressed pride in bringing the record back to the UK, stating he felt lucky to push it forward.
- Former record holder Steve Cram called the feat phenomenal and praised Kerr's performance.
- Kerr believes he had the potential to achieve a time of 3:42, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in his success.
Josh Kerr made history on Saturday by breaking the 27-year-old world mile record at the London Diamond League meet, finishing in 3 minutes 42.66 seconds. This remarkable achievement saw him surpass Hicham El Guerrouj’s previous record by 0.47 seconds, a feat celebrated by a capacity crowd of 60,000 fans.
Kerr, 28, had set his sights on a sub-223-second race as part of his ambitious Project 222. He expressed his determination, stating, “Going after records like that is not really anything about fitness; it’s about wrapping your mind around that time.” This victory marks Kerr as the seventh Briton to hold the mile record, the first since Steve Cram in 1985.
After his record-breaking run, Kerr was awarded a check for US$50,000. He reflected on his achievement, saying, “I feel very lucky to push this forward and bring it back to the UK because I feel like that’s where the mile belongs.” Kerr is optimistic about further improving his time, asserting, “I knew I had 3:42 in me.” His coach praised the performance, calling it “phenomenal” and highlighting the impressive execution of his strategy.13
Kerr’s record-breaking run not only cements his legacy in British athletics but also reignites interest in the mile event, showcasing the potential for future records.
“Kerr, who received a US$50,000 bonus for smashing the record, said it was about 'wrapping your mind around that time' and expressed pride in bringing the mark back to the UK. Former record holder Steve Cram called the feat 'phenomenal' and praised how Kerr set his stall out and delivered.”
Taipei Times
