Brooks Running received a major boost after its sponsored athlete, Josh Kerr, broke the 27-year-old men’s mile world record at the London Diamond League.

The 28-year-old Scot ran 3 minutes, 42.66 seconds. He beat Moroccan Hicham El Guerrouj’s mark of 3:43.13, which had stood since 1999.

The achievement puts Kerr among the sport’s greatest middle-distance runners. It also gives Brooks a major victory in the competitive running shoe market.

Brooks Technology in the Spotlight

Kerr wore a specially designed Brooks track spike during the race. The shoe was built around his biomechanics.

It featured a carbon-fibre plate, titanium pins and a foam compound that was “optimised” for an all-out mile, according to a company spokesperson before the race.

Brooks also developed a speed suit for Kerr. The suit was designed to balance aerodynamics and breathability in warm conditions.

The record attempt formed part of “Project 222.” Kerr aimed to lower the mile record to 222 seconds, or 3:42.

A Historic Achievement

Kerr entered the season with the world record as a key target. The year does not feature a major global championship, allowing him to focus on the milestone.

Before London, his personal best stood at 3:45.34.

The new record ends one of track and field’s longest-standing marks. It also adds Kerr’s name to a list of mile legends that includes Roger Bannister, who famously broke the four-minute barrier in 1954.

Kerr is the first British athlete to set a world record in the event since 1985. That era saw Steve Cram, Steve Ovett and Sebastian Coe dominate middle-distance running.

Super Shoe Era Continues

Kerr’s success highlights the growing role of technology in athletics.

Modern racing shoes use lighter foams and carbon-fibre components. These innovations have helped athletes achieve performances once considered impossible.

Kerr has been associated with Brooks for years. He won Olympic silver in Paris in 2024 and bronze in Tokyo three years earlier.

During the Tokyo Olympics, Brooks allowed him to wear Nike spikes. The company had not produced a rival shoe because of disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.