Kerr claims Bowerman Mile crown
“I felt very strong through the first (kilometer) and I was like, you know what, it’s time to press and push and see what these guys have got."; nine men sub-3:50
By Andrew Greif for World Athletics
EUGENE, Ore. - In perhaps the most anticipated race at the Prefontaine Classic, World 1500m champion Josh Kerr outduelled Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen to win the Bowerman Mile in a British record of 3:45.34, breaking legend Steve Cram’s 1985 record and clocking the fastest track Mile in the month of May.
After the pacer came through halfway in 1:53, Kerr moved up to the front with 600 meters remaining and the favorites aligned at the front, with Ingebrigtsen and Yared Nuguse behind, and 2022 world champion Jake Wightman tracking Nuguse closely in fourth. That order was unchanged with half a lap remaining and no one could make up ground on Kerr, who ripped his sunglasses off after finishing before collecting himself and shaking the hand of Ingebrigtsen. The two had bantered through the press for months about their standing atop the 1500m.
“I felt very strong through the first (kilometer) and I was like, you know what, it’s time to press and push and see what these guys have got,” Kerr said.
Ingebrigtsen was coming off an achilles tendon injury during the winter and opened his season in 3:45.60, with the U.S. record holder Nuguse third in 3:46.22. Ingebrigtsen said that although he was coming off missing time due to injury, he considered the race an improvement on last year at this time.
“I tried to fight him,” Ingebrigtsen said of Kerr, “but today for me was more of a time trial. Of course, we’re racing, but it’s definitely some differences in terms of approach into this race because this, for some people, this is their final test, even before the Olympics in Paris. But this is not my final test. I think if anything, this is going to be an exciting summer. For myself, I think it’s very good.”
Overall, nine men went sub-3:50 and five personal records were set. NOTE: Teen talent Cameron Myers of Australia, 11th overall, ran 3:50.15 to set an age 17 world record.
CREDIT: Matthew Quine / Diamond League AG
