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Larry Eder
Guest
In March 2026, Josh Kerr announced that he was going for the twenty-seven-year-old world record for the mile.
On July 7, 1999, Hicham El Guerrouj set the WR for the Men’s mile in 3:43.13, with Noah Ngeny in 3:43.30. The race, held in Stadio Olimpico in Rome, was epic.
That evening, I was called by NPR for some comments. At the time, I was covering track and field for National Public Radio. I told NPR that the record was historic and that I hoped to live long enough to see it broken, but that it could take a long time. I believe I used the term “Beamonesque” to describe the nature of Hicham El Guerrouj’s run.
Josh Kerr showing the new Brooks Beasts TC uniforms, photo by Brooks communications
Now, back to March 2026, when Josh Kerr announced his WR attempt and Brooks, his sponsor, announced
#Project222
I remember reading the release, thinking it was the only season when Josh could focus on the record, with all the championships in 2027 and 2028. Many top pundits questioned whether it was possible.
Josh Kerr and Project 222, photo by Brooks Running
Josh Kerr and his team- from his coaches, Danny Mackey and assistant coach Julian Florez, to his training partners, his Mum, who is his physio- focused on the mile. The training sessions, from his 4 x 800m (1:59, 1:58, 1:50, 1:49) showed me that Josh Kerr was on task.
So much of this race was about being prepared and focused on the race day.
To break the record, Josh Kerr had to average 55.78 for four laps! Josh’s splits were 55.75, 1:51.11, and at 1200m in 2:46.39!
On his own now, Josh Kerr, lifted by sixty thousand British fans, Josh Kerr ran his last 200m in 27 seconds, breaking the WR for the mile with his 3:42.66!
Josh Kerr, Project 222, photo by Brooks Running
The belief in yourself, your team, your focus, and Josh Kerr, Olympic silver medalist, Olympic bronze medalist, World indoor 3000m champion (twice), World 1500m champion, is now the world record holder in the mile.
After the race, Josh Kerr thanked his team, the culture around him, and 60,000 British fans in London, as well as fans worldwide, for making his prediction a reality!
Josh Kerr brought the mile world record back to Great Britain, the land of Banister, Coe, Ovett and Cram.
Well done, Josh Rowe, you made me cry and smile at the same time!
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