Josh Kerr Targets 222 Seconds To Break Mile World Record At London Diamond League

Josh Kerr, the British world champion, plans to attempt to beat the mile world record at the London Diamond League meeting on 18 July, targeting 222 seconds to take down Hicham El Guerrouj’s mark of 3:43.13 set in 1999.

BBC Sport says Kerr intends to render the record “redundant” with Project 222, and it frames the plan as a comprehensive approach to “winning our one per cents.”

BBC

The North Wales Chronicle reports Kerr is documenting his journey in minute detail on his YouTube channel and says, “At its heart, I'm documenting it for myself because this is a really tough journey.”

The BBC also details the lead-up logistics, including bespoke spikes designed to maximise Kerr’s biomechanics, a specially designed speed suit, and physio support at his Albuquerque home, with ice baths lasting the exact duration of the race and an “altitude room” being rigged up in his bedroom.

Kerr told BBC Sport that “Everything's going extremely smoothly,” adding that “we're still three weeks or so out,” and he said he “just need[s] to handle the variables that are going to come my way.”

The North Wales Chronicle adds that Kerr has “no fear of giving away his secrets,” and it quotes him saying, “If you want to come and beat me and do it the way that I do it and work harder, I'm fully okay with that.”

BBC

L'Équipe reports that Jakob Ingebrigtsen reacted to Kerr’s 2 miles world record at the Millrose Games by saying, “If his time worries me? No, I would have beaten him in that race with my eyes blindfolded,” and it includes the follow-up “Yes, blindfolded!”

Ingebrigtsen also commented on his rival’s front-running style, saying, “If very few athletes win in this way, it's because they're not capable of it.”

Kerr’s mile attempt in London is paired with a Commonwealth Games campaign, with the BBC saying he was confirmed on Friday as part of Team Scotland for those Commonwealths in Glasgow.

The BBC reports that at Scotstoun stadium on 1 August, Kerr will run a mile again on the same track where he first learned to race as a junior athlete, and it quotes him saying, “it's like proper full circle stuff so that will be really fun as well.”

North Wales Chronicle says Kerr’s Commonwealth hopes at Glasgow 2026 will be in the mile, and it notes he is “exactly on track” for his shot at glory at the London Stadium.

It also quotes Kerr on his approach to pressure, saying, “I don't feel the pressure of needing to perform in front of that crowd because I know that I have it in me and I've done it before,” while the BBC links the Project 222 countdown to Kerr’s aim to be “the best miler in history.”