Josh Kerr reveals temporary loss of hearing during world record mile as Scot targets setting new mark ahead of Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/10/22/image-068d0790-e404-47d7-bb28-adf4a3f67059-68-310-310.png)
Updated 21/07/2026 at 21:23 GMT+1
React to this story
Josh Kerr has revealed he temporarily lost his hearing during the closing stages of his world-record mile at the London Stadium, explaining ahead of Glasgow 2026 that the phenomenon has become a signal that his body is operating at its absolute limit.
‘He’s gone!’ – The moment Kerr’s world title dreams ended in Tokyo
Video credit: TNT Sports
The Scot produced one of the greatest performances in British athletics history on Saturday at the London Diamond League, clocking 3:42.66 to lower Hicham El Guerrouj's 27-year-old men's mile world record by almost half a second.
The run at the Olympic Park also saw Kerr become the first Briton since Steve Cram in 1985 to hold the record and only the seventh British athlete to achieve the feat.
He now has the chance to set a new world record at Glasgow 2026 - live on TNT Sports and HBO Max - with the Commonwealth Mile returning for the first time since 1966.
Reflecting on his momentous last outing in an interview with The Athletic, Kerr admitted he was largely unaware of the noise generated by the 60,000-strong crowd during the decisive final metres.
"My hearing went with about 110 metres to go," Kerr said. "It happened in the first 300 metres at the Olympics in Paris, so for it to occur then, in one of the hardest races I'd ever run, it cannot be physical. It is mental and emotional. A lot of it has to do with the atmosphere and occasion."
Rather than unsettling him, Kerr explained that the sensation has become a reassuring trigger.
"It's a very calming sensation," he continued. "As soon as it happens, it is my body telling me everything I don't need is shutting off, and I'm going to get to the line as quickly as possible."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/07/21/image-521d74a9-7de4-46e3-8867-cbadf2f82269.jpeg)
A crowd of 60,000 at London Stadium watched Kerr's achievement
Image credit: Getty Images
Kerr also revealed the record had been years in the making. Although discussions with coach Danny Mackey had long centred on the possibility of attacking El Guerrouj's mark, he admitted it initially felt like an ambitious target.
"It was never going to be an easy record," he added. "We discussed it so many times.
"It was still a bit of a pipe dream at that moment. It was always on our minds, but it took me to start swinging for the fences to make this possible."
- Countdown to Glasgow 2026: Doyle on why the Commonwealth Mile will steal the show
- How to watch the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on TNT Sports
Kerr, a two-time world indoor champion, said the race unfolded almost exactly as planned. Trusting his pacemakers to deliver him into position, the 28-year-old resisted the temptation to accelerate too early despite feeling strong.
"There was a lot of negotiation with my own body and my mind," he continued. "I wanted to go, but I knew it was not the right time to push, because I was running fast enough."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/07/21/image-fd307673-a1da-40de-96fa-d259574ddf15.jpeg)
Kerr has hinted he could attempt to set a new mile mark
Image credit: Getty Images
Crossing 1,500 metres in 3:27.7 confirmed the record was within his grasp.
"Once I saw my 1,500m split, I knew I had it. It was just about getting my a*** to the line. It was like an out-of-body experience," he said.
Speaking separately on BBC Breakfast the morning after the race, Kerr described breaking the record as the fulfilment of his biggest ambition for 2026 and a milestone he hoped would reconnect Britain with one of athletics' most iconic events.
"The biggest goal that I had this year was going after the world record in the mile," he said. "It was a perfect year for it."
Referencing Britain's rich tradition in the event, Kerr added: "With the history that the UK have in the mile distance, with Sir Roger Bannister breaking the four-minute mile and then [Sebastian] Coe, Cram and [Steve] Ovett, it was just time for me to bring that distance and that record back home to the UK."
Having eclipsed his own British record by almost three seconds, Kerr believes there is still room for improvement.
"To be able to break that record by nearly half a second was an awesome achievement," he said. "On another day, with maybe a little bit more favourable wind, I could maybe take another little chunk off it. If we're in the fitness for it again, we'll maybe go after it."
Kerr also explained why he wanted his world record attempt to take place in London, saying the occasion was about more than personal glory.
"There's a reason that I did this in the UK," he added. "My job was to fill the stands with as many young athletes, coaching staff and parents as possible to hopefully inspire the next generation of athletes.
"Hopefully we'll have another British athlete break it in the next 10 to 15 years. Hopefully, it can be mine for a little bit longer."
Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this.
Advertisement
Advertisement