Kerr’s time eclipsed El Guerrouj’s long-standing record of 3:43.13, set on July 7, 1999, at the Golden Gala in Rome. The Moroccan legend had held the record for nearly three decades, making it one of the longest-standing marks in modern middle-distance running.
The mile, which covers approximately 1,609 meters, is not an Olympic event but remains one of athletics’ most prestigious distances, with a rich history stretching back more than a century.
The 28-year-old Kerr has established himself among the world’s leading middle-distance runners in recent years. He won the 1,500-meter world title at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest before claiming Olympic silver at the Paris 2024 Games. He had openly targeted El Guerrouj’s record, describing it as one of the sport’s ultimate milestones.
While his mile record has now fallen, El Guerrouj continues to hold the outdoor 1,500-meter world record. The four-time world champion ran 3:26.00 at the Golden Gala in Rome on July 14, 1998—a performance that remains unmatched nearly three decades later and continues to stand as one of the greatest achievements in the history of athletics.
