A bullish Josh Kerr has insisted he is in the shape of his life and “not scared of failure” as he attempts to break the one-mile world record at Saturday’s London Diamond League.
The former 1500m world champion and double Olympic medallist has developed a reputation as an admirably straight-talker throughout his career, unafraid to publicly state his ambitions. Few have ever been so lofty as the one that awaits this weekend though, as he attempts to surpass the great Hicham El Guerrouj’s one-mile mark of three minutes 43.13 seconds that has stood since 1999. An entire generation of athletics fans were not even alive to see it happen.
With hopes of Keely Hodgkinson potentially making her own tilt at the 800m world record fading after a tricky injury-troubled few weeks, Kerr has stood strong as the meet’s fearless headline act. He is in no mood to let down what is close to being a sold out 60,000 crowd.
“I’m not a bettor, but it’s in my favour for sure,” said the 28-year-old Scot, with the kind of forthright confidence rarely seen in athletics. “My body is capable of the mark, so my job tomorrow is to have my mind available to let my body do it’s job. I’m very excited.
“I’ve had belief in myself for a long time. It’s not something that is difficult for me. It was a dream for a long time, but I knew it could be reality for a long time. This isn’t the first year that I’ve felt in shape; this is the first moment I’ve felt like I have an opportunity to go for something as fiercely as I wanted to. I haven’t missed a day [of training]. What you will see out there tomorrow is all of me.”
As some of his team have pointed out to him, Kerr did not need to go about things the way he has. Few athletes would. It was back in March, before the outdoor season had even begun, that he announced his world record bid for this weekend – an attempt that he and his Brooks sponsor have dubbed “Project 222”, reflecting the number of seconds he requires to achieve his goal.
The company have created new custom spikes and a special aerodynamic race kit for the occasion, with Kerr documenting his training on YouTube and revealing the intricate lengths he has gone to in his bid for glory. Every day, he writes the words: “I ran 3.42 at the London Diamond League. July 18th, 2026,” in his notebook, while his ice bath sessions last precisely three minutes and 42 seconds.
In a year lacking an Olympics or world championships, Kerr has built his entire season around this one race, and he is unapologetic in wanting everyone to know it. “We are in a sport where we have to earn our media and earn our right to be on mainstream television,” said Kerr, of a Diamond League meet that will be shown live on BBC One. “To do that, we have to give moments, we have to give reason.
“For me, this wasn’t an idea to hopefully save athletics but it is definitely a situation where … ‘Why not?’ Why not go after something like this in front of as many people as possible? It’s been a really fun journey and I like challenging myself. I like goals that are lofty and I think this sport needs moments, and I was willing to give it.”
The presence of the United States’ Olympic 1500m bronze medallist Yared Nuguse provides an intriguing subplot. Nuguse is the fourth-fastest miler in history, while Kerr sits sixth on that list, more than a second behind his rival. Could the American aid Kerr by pushing him to the line, or might he snatch the world record for himself? “I think if people get it right, multiple people can break the world record,” said Kerr. “I wanted it to be a race, I opened it up and Yared fancied it.
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“There’s different breeds of people. As an athlete, I’m not scared of failing. It’s not something that I was born with. I’m on the attack at all times, and I’m bold with what I talk about. I’m just going out there and doing what I’ve said that I’m capable of doing.”
Thoughts that there could be two British world records within 15 minutes to close Saturday’s show have dissipated after a difficult month for Hodgkinson. The Olympic 800m champion withdrew in tears from the UK Championships startline with muscle tightness, and then suffered a freak knee injury after tripping over while training and landing on a metal grate, which “took chunks out” of her flesh. “It was not pretty at all,” she said.
She managed to race at the Eugene Diamond League a fortnight ago, but could only finish second, and she suggested returning to winning ways is her priority in a London field that includes the formidable Dutchwoman Femke Broeders-Bol. “I’m not putting any pressure on myself to chase times,” said Hodgkinson. “I know what I’m capable of and it’s going to be there when I need it.
“I’m in really good shape and in a really good place. I think fast times come from great races. If that’s tomorrow then great. If it’s in a few weeks or next year, I don’t care. For me, it’s winning and being back on top, especially after these last couple of weeks when it’s been a bit difficult, so that’s my main focus.”
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