Speed suits & altitude rooms - how Kerr plans to beat mile world record

Josh Kerr will attempt to break Hicham El Guerrouj's mile world record on July 18 at the London Diamond League meeting. Kerr has been preparing for this event by incorporating altitude training and utilizing specialized speed suits. He has spent time training at altitude in the French Alps, aiming to enhance his red blood cell count and improve oxygen transport, a strategy commonly employed by elite endurance athletes. The use of advanced speed suits, designed to reduce aerodynamic drag, is also a key component of his race-day preparation. Kerr's previous performance includes winning the 1500m gold medal at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, where he set a personal best of 3:29.38. This record attempt marks a significant step up from his previous achievements, targeting a mark that has stood for over two decades. El Guerrouj's current world record is 3:43.13, set in Rome in 1999.