British Record! Josh runs stunning 3:45 Mile and PBs for Neil, Jake

Sunday 26th May 2024

Photos with thanks to Matt Quine

Josh Kerr seems determined to rewrite atheltics history and he penned another chapter at the Oregon Diamond League.

A stunning mile win over arch rival Jakob Ingebrigtsen saw the Scot take down the British Record for the distance – held by Steve Cram for almost 40 years.

Josh clocked a superb 3:45.34 to win from the Norwegian and, only a few metres back, two more Scots finished in the top five.

Neil Gourley and Jake Wightman are both on the way back from injury yet set superb PBs – with Neil edging fourth in 3:47.74 to Jake in fifth in 3.47.83.

And, although it was not a championship event, in terms of quality of performance there is a very strong argument for this being the finest race in Scottish middle distance history. Three men sub 3:48 really is remarkable.

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Jemma Reekie took a fine third place in a high calibre Women’s 800m race.

Fellow Brit Keely Hodgkinson timed her kick superbly to get ahead of World champion Mary Moraa and win in a rapid 1:55.78.

But Jemma also closed extremely well and was edging towards Moraa at the finish as she clocked 1:57.45 and also gained ‘revenge’ over the World Indoors gold medallist.

‘I am still not quite what I want to be, but it’s a good start to the season,’ said Jemma.

‘I think I needed to come out a little bit more on that last 200. But, I’m glad I hung back a bit because it went real quick.

‘Definitely knew it was gonna be fast today, we come here and it’s always a good field and a really quick time. So, yeah. I think I judged it well, but I just need to sharpen up now.’

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Laura Muir opened her season with a really soldi run over 1500m.

In her first track outing since the World Indoors in Glasgow, Laura was fourth in 3:56.35 in a race won superbly by Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji in 3:63.75.

Australian Jess Hull and American Elle St Pierre were in second and third.

‘I’ve not run a track race this outdoor season yet and not ran a 1500 since the Diamond League final here last year,’ said Laura.

‘So yeah, really happy that that’s my fastest ever opener. I want to be in the best shape I can for August, so it’s a step towards that to run 56 in May. It’s very promising.

‘I knew the girls wanted to run quick, so it’s a matter of trying to hang on as best I can.’

Tags: Diamond League, Jake Wightman, Jemma Reekie, Josh Kerr, Laura Muir, Neil Gourley, Oregon