Josh Kerr Shatters British Mile Record, Triumphs Over Ingebrigtsen

Josh Kerr shattered Steve Cram’s 39-year-old British mile record as he outpaced Jakob Ingebrigtsen at the Diamond League meet in Oregon. This marked their first showdown since Kerr’s surprise victory over the Olympic champion in the 1500m at the World Championships the previous year. Josh Kerr, leading into the final lap of the mile, fended off Ingebrigtsen to clinch victory with a remarkable time of three minutes and 45.34 seconds. Neil Gourley and Jake Wightman, both Britons, secured fourth and fifth places respectively.

Commentating for BBC Sport at the event in Eugene, Cram lauded Kerr’s performance, noting his continuous improvement and confidence as he heads towards the Olympic Games. In the women’s 800m, Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson showcased her dominance. Despite Mary Moraa’s quick start, Hodgkinson maintained her composure, overtaking the Kenyan on the final straight and winning with a time of 1:55.78. Moraa finished second in 1:56.71, with Briton Jemma Reekie securing third place in 1:57.45.

American Sha’Carri Richardson claimed victory in the women’s 100m with a time of 10.83 seconds, while British athletes Dina Asher-Smith (10.98) and Daryll Neita (11.00) took third and fourth places respectively. Great Britain’s Laura Muir finished fourth in the women’s 1500m, clocking 3:56.35. The event was won by Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji in 3:53.75. In the women’s 10,000m, Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet set a new world record with a time of 28:54.14, surpassing Letesenbet Gidey’s previous record of 29:01.03 set in 2021.

Chebet attributed her motivation to the final lap, especially when Gudaf Tsegay dropped, realizing her potential and pushing to claim the record. American Christian Coleman secured victory in the men’s 100m with a time of 9.95, followed by Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya in second with 9.98 and Brandon Hicklin in third with 10.08.