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Olympic silver medallist Josh Kerr has revealed he temporarily lost his hearing while producing a historic performance that saw him break the men's mile world record at the London Diamond League.
The 28-year-old Scottish middle-distance runner crossed the finish line in an astonishing 3:42.66 at London Stadium on July 18, eclipsing the previous record that had stood for 27 years. The mark had been held by Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj since 1999.
Speaking to The Athletic, Kerr disclosed that an unusual physical sensation occurred with approximately 110 metres remaining in the race. Rather than alarming him, he explained that it has become a familiar signal his body gives when it reaches its absolute limit.
According to Kerr, the temporary loss of hearing is almost reassuring because it tells him his body is shutting out unnecessary distractions and directing all its energy toward reaching the finish line as quickly as possible.
The achievement was the culmination of months of meticulous preparation under what Kerr called Project 222, a training initiative named after the 222 seconds required to complete a mile in 3:42. Through videos shared on YouTube, the Briton documented his journey as he trained at altitude in Albuquerque, New Mexico, while chasing one of athletics' most elusive records.
Kerr admitted the process demanded relentless discipline rather than spectacular workouts. He explained that the greatest challenge came from maintaining a strict daily routine that revolved around training, recovery, nutrition, meetings and early nights. While individual training sessions were manageable, consistently repeating the schedule week after week proved mentally demanding.
He also acknowledged there were moments when frustration set in. After long training days and carefully controlled meals, he questioned whether the sacrifices were worth it. Despite those doubts, he remained committed to the plan, believing each session brought him one step closer to his goal.
That persistence paid off in front of a packed London Stadium, where more than 60,000 spectators witnessed Kerr produce one of the finest performances of his career.
Reflecting on the occasion, Kerr said he thrives under pressure and welcomes the expectations that come with competing on the biggest stage. Rather than being overwhelmed by the spotlight, he views it as a privilege and believes it brings out the very best in him.
Although he has achieved one of athletics' greatest milestones, Kerr says he is in no hurry to fully process the magnitude of his accomplishment, choosing instead to stay focused on the journey ahead.
