Britain’s Kerr breaks 27-year mile world record in London

Great Britain’s Josh Kerr smashed the long-standing men’s mile world record with a spectacular performance at the London Diamond League.

Having announced his intention back in March to break Hicham El Guerrouj’s 27-year mark on home soil, Kerr delivered in emphatic fashion as he crossed the line in three minutes 42.66 seconds.

Roared on by a sell-out crowd of 60,000 at London Stadium, the five-time global medallist bettered the Moroccan’s mark - untouched since 1999, when Kerr was aged one - by nearly half a second.

The 28-year-old became the seventh British athlete to claim the mile record, and first since Steve Cram in 1985.

Kerr had lined up as the sixth-fastest man in history over the mile with a British record personal best of 3:45.34.

He was joined on the start line in London by American Yared Nuguse, fourth on that all-time list and a genuine threat to the Olympic silver medallist’s challenge. (BBC sport)