Josh Kerr Smashes Men's Mile World Record With 3:42.66 in London

LONDON — Britain's Josh Kerr rewrote the men's mile world record, clocking 3 minutes 42.66 seconds at the London Diamond League (Novuna London Athletics Meet) on Saturday, according to World Athletics, the sport's governing body.

Kerr's run lowered the previous best of 3:43.13, set by Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj in Rome in 1999, according to World Athletics record books. The 3:42.66 mark is the first sub-3:43 mile in history.

The 28-year-old, who took 1500m bronze at the Paris Olympics, surged clear over the final lap at the London Stadium, the BBC reported. In the same meeting, Britain's Keely Hodgkinson won the women's 800m for her first Diamond League victory of the season, the BBC said.

The result strengthens Kerr's standing ahead of the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship later this year.

**Global Perspective** The mile is track and field's most storied middle-distance test. A British athlete topping the all-time list reshapes the event's narrative and adds a marquee name to the sport's expanding global audience.

### Josh Kerr Mile World Record: What the Run Means

Kerr's 3:42.66 is a verified world record confirmed by World Athletics on 18 July 2026, pending formal ratification by the governing body.

**FAQ**

**Who broke the men's mile world record in 2026?** Britain's Josh Kerr, with 3:42.66 at the London Diamond League on 18 July 2026, according to World Athletics.

**What was the previous men's mile world record?** Hicham El Guerrouj's 3:43.13, set in Rome in 1999, per World Athletics record books.

**Where did Josh Kerr set the record?** At the Novuna London Athletics Meet, part of the Wanda Diamond League, at the London Stadium.

**SEO** - Meta title: Josh Kerr Breaks Mile World Record in London - Meta description: Britain's Josh Kerr broke the men's mile world record with 3:42.66 at the London Diamond League on 18 July 2026, World Athletics confirmed. Read the report. - Slug: josh-kerr-mile-world-record-london-2026 - Internal links: /sport/athletics/ (track-and-field hub), /sport/diamond-league-2026/ (Diamond League preview), /sport/josh-kerr-profile/ (athlete profile)

**Sources:** worldathletics.org, BBC