UK Athletics – Josh Kerr produced an outstanding performance to claim the men’s 1500m title at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest on the final night.
With Robert Farken (GER) setting the early pace, Kerr and fellow Brit Jake Wightman positioned themselves in the middle of the pack during the opening stages. Kerr, the mile world record-holder, gradually moved around the outside with 600m remaining and, at the bell, had worked his way onto the shoulder of the pack leader Yared Nuguse (USA).
A confident Kerr surged to the front with 300m to go and never looked back. Holding off Cam Myers (AUS) in the closing stages, he crossed the line in 3:29.35 to secure the title.
Myers finished in 3:29.68, while American Hobbs Kessler took third in 3:30.73
Speaking to the BBC after the race, Kerr said, “From seven weeks ago in London, I went home, I chopped wood and carried water, and I was ready to go again.
“Sometimes you have to come out of it to dig deeper inside and go further in life. Two weeks before [a race], I try to do something to get me out of my routine, and then I push myself for the last couple of weeks.
“I had a great build, and if I didn’t finish with a win, then that was on me.”
The race
The results
| Pos | Athlete | Nat. | Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josh KERR | GBR | 3:29.35 |
| 2 | Cameron MYERS | AUS | 3:29.68 |
| 3 | Hobbs KESSLER | USA | 3:30.73 |
| 4 | Cole HOCKER | USA | 3:30.74 SB |
| 5 | Yared NUGUSE | USA | 3:30.76 |
| 6 | Azeddine HABZ | FRA | 3:30.96 |
| 7 | Ethan STRAND | USA | 3:31.30 |
| 8 | Timothy CHERUIYOT | KEN | 3:31.47 |
| 9 | Jake WIGHTMAN | GBR | 3:31.56 |
| 10 | Phanuel Kipkosgei KOECH | KEN | 3:31.77 |
| 11 | Robert FARKEN | GER | 3:32.90 |
| 12 | Isaac NADER | POR | 3:39.54 |
| Jakob INGEBRIGTSEN | NOR | DNS |
