Kerr ready to attempt world mile record this year
Every day, Josh Kerr records the time: three minutes 43.13 seconds. Each day, he works to make that time obsolete.
He aims to achieve this on July 18 at the London Diamond League meeting, where the 28-year-old plans to surpass Hicham El Guerrouj's mile world record.
His team calls the initiative Project 222—targeting 222 seconds to break a record that has stood for 27 years.
The approach Kerr and his team have taken to achieve this feat is meticulous, focusing on optimizing every detail to gain marginal advantages.
He uses bespoke spikes tailored to enhance his biomechanics and a specially designed speed suit. His physiotherapist has relocated to his home in Albuquerque to provide ongoing support. His parents, John and Jill, have flown from Scotland to stay with him. His recovery includes ice baths timed to match the exact duration of the race. Additionally, an 'altitude room' has been installed in his bedroom to simulate high-altitude conditions.
All these preparations have been documented on YouTube as the countdown to the event progresses. Kerr describes the process as "a well-orchestrated zoo."
GB's Kerr to target mile world record in London
Other notable athletics news includes Muir's plan to run 5,000m at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and Gourley's commitment to compete in his home Games despite challenges.
'I want to be known as best miler in history'
Kerr’s public declaration of his record attempt is bold but consistent with his approach to raising awareness of athletics and its personalities, achievements, and rivalries.
Previously known for his competitive dynamic with 1500m rival Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Kerr now focuses on breaking one of the sport's longest-standing records.
"Everything's going extremely smoothly," Kerr told . "You know when you call your shot this far in advance, there's a lot of things that can happen and we're still three weeks or so out.
"It's definitely on, I just need to handle the variables that are going to come my way and, with a little bit of luck on my side, I'm sure I'll be in a really good spot."
Kerr selected London as the venue to honor the mile record's history, which has been broken by six British athletes before him, including Roger Bannister’s iconic first sub-four-minute mile in 1954. Kerr aims to become the seventh.
Currently the fastest British miler, Kerr ranks sixth on the all-time list with his personal best of three minutes 45.34 seconds set two years ago.
"I just want to put my name up against some of the best Brits in the history of the sport and I want to be known as the best miler in history," Kerr said, presenting an extraordinary ambition with remarkable modesty.
"It's not easy. I'm doing everything I can to find my margins, take that into London, then spread that through into the Commonwealth Games. I'm hoping to have a pretty successful couple of weeks."
Kerr was confirmed on Friday as part of Team Scotland for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. His selection came after an injury prevented him from securing a place earlier.
On August 1, at Scotstoun stadium, he will compete in the mile once again, on the same track where he began racing as a junior athlete.
"My parents are here with me at the moment and we were talking about how fun it's going to be to go back to Glasgow and to go back to Scotstoun," Kerr said.
"The amount of times I've raced there and the memories I've got, it's like proper full circle stuff so that will be really fun as well."
