Josh Kerr Targets Mile World Record at Star-Studded London Diamond League

Posted : 13 July 2026

Britain's Josh Kerr will make his long-awaited attempt to break the men's mile world record when he lines up in the iconic Emsley Carr Mile at the London Diamond League on Saturday. The Olympic silver medallist and two-time world indoor champion will headline one of the strongest mile fields assembled in recent years as he bids to erase a record that has stood for more than 27 years.

Kerr will be joined by fellow Scot Neil Gourley, the European indoor mile record-holder, as well as American stars Yared Nuguse, Hobbs Kessler and Nathan Green. The elite line-up is expected to provide the perfect environment for Kerr's ambitious assault on Hicham El Guerrouj's world record of 3:43.13, set in Rome in 1999.

The 28-year-old enters the meeting in encouraging form after finishing second at the Monaco Diamond League, where Kenya's Emmanuel Wanyonyi produced a world-record performance over 1,000 metres. Kerr has branded his record attempt "Project 222", targeting a time of 3:42 that would rewrite athletics history.

The London meeting will also feature an outstanding men's 800 metres field. Scotland's Jake Wightman will compete alongside Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Olympic silver medallist Marco Arop, American Bryce Hoppel, Ireland's Mark English, and British runners Max Burgin and Ben Pattison in one of the deepest races of the season.

In the women's 800 metres, Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson will lead a strong British challenge that includes world silver medallist Georgia Hunter Bell. Dutch star Femke Bol, a multiple Olympic and world medallist over the 400m hurdles, will also test herself over the longer distance in one of the weekend's most anticipated races.

The sprint events promise plenty of excitement as Julien Alfred arrives in London after an outstanding performance in Monaco, where she recorded one of the fastest women's 200m times in history. The Saint Lucian Olympic champion will defend her London title against Olympic champion Gabby Thomas, as well as British trio Dina Asher-Smith, Amy Hunt, and newly crowned national champion Success Eduan.

With world-class athletes across multiple disciplines and Kerr's historic mile attempt taking centre stage, the London Diamond League is set to deliver one of the highlights of the 2026 athletics season.

Josh Kerr Targets Mile World Record at Star-Studded London Diamond League

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