Josh Kerr Smashes Historic Mile World Record with 3:42.66 at London Diamond League
osh Kerr delivered one of the greatest performances in athletics history by breaking the men's mile world record at the London Diamond League on Saturday (18 July), producing the standout moment of a spectacular afternoon at a packed London Stadium.
The British star stormed to victory in 3:42.66, eclipsing the legendary 3:43.13 set by Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj in 1999. El Guerrouj's mark had stood for nearly 27 years and was widely regarded as one of the sport's most untouchable records. Kerr also became the first British athlete to hold the men's mile world record since Steve Cram in 1985, fulfilling the ambitious "Project 222" campaign he launched at the beginning of the season.
The home crowd had more reason to celebrate as Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson continued her impressive return to competition by winning the women's 800 metres in 1:56.21, strengthening her credentials ahead of the major championships later this summer.
The men's 800 metres produced one of the biggest surprises of the meeting. American Brandon Miller ran a superb 1:42.19 to defeat a world-class field that included Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi, while confirming himself as one of the leading contenders in the event.
Norway's Karsten Warholm once again demonstrated his dominance in the men's 400 metres hurdles, clocking a world-leading 46.61 to secure another commanding Diamond League victory.
Sprint events also produced outstanding performances. Olympic champion Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia won the women's 200 metres in 21.66, while Nigeria's Kanyinsola Ajayi equaled his national record with 9.84 to take the men's 100 metres. In the men's one-lap race, American Rai Benjamin continued his remarkable versatility by setting a personal best of 44.05 to win the 400 metres.
The hurdles provided another breakthrough performance as Ja'Kobe Tharp of the United States claimed victory in the men's 110 metres hurdles in 12.89, one of the fastest times in the world this season.
In the field events, American Cierra Jackson set a new Diamond League record of 71.72m to win the women's discus throw, while Australia's Nicola Olyslagers topped the women's high jump competition with another consistent world-class display.
