World Records — Mile Men

The Mile Men world record stands at 3:42.66, set by Josh Kerr (GBR) in 2026. Explore its full progression through athletics history.

Record progression

Mark over the years. The higher the curve, the better the record.

4:101900195020004:52 · Marshall3:42.66 · Kerr

Record History

2026Josh KerrCurrentPending ratificationGBR—Jul 18, 2026LondonOngoing3:42.66-0.47s
1999Hicham El GuerroujMAR—Jul 7, 1999Rome27 years3:43.13-1.26s
1993Noureddine MorceliALG—Sep 5, 1993Rieti5.8 years3:44.39-1.93s
1985Steve CramGBR—Jul 27, 1985Oslo8.1 years3:46.32-1.01s
1981Sebastian CoeGBR—Aug 28, 1981Brussels3.9 years3:47.33-1.07s
1981Steve OvettGBR—Aug 26, 1981Koblenz2 d3:48.40-0.13s
1981Sebastian CoeGBR—Aug 19, 1981Zürich7 d3:48.53-0.27s
1980Steve OvettGBR—Jul 1, 1980Oslo14 months3:48.8-0.20s
1979Sebastian CoeGBR—Jul 17, 1979Oslo12 months3:49.0-0.40s
1975John WalkerNZL—Aug 12, 1975Gothenburg3.9 years3:49.4-1.60s
1975Filbert BayiTAN—May 17, 1975Kingston3 months3:51.0-0.10s
1967Jim RyunUSA—Jun 23, 1967Bakersfield, Cal.7.9 years3:51.1-0.20s
1966Jim RyunUSA—Jul 17, 1966Berkeley, Cal.11 months3:51.3-2.30s
1965Michel JazyFRA—Jun 9, 1965Rennes13 months3:53.6-0.50s
1964Peter SnellNZL—Nov 17, 1964Auckland7 months3:54.1-0.30s
1962Peter SnellNZL—Jan 27, 1962Wanganui2.8 years3:54.4-0.10s
1958Herb ElliottAUS—Aug 6, 1958Dublin3.5 years3:54.5-2.70s
1957Derek IbbotsonGBR—Jul 19, 1957London13 months3:57.2-0.80s
1954John LandyAUS—Jun 21, 1954Turku3.1 years3:58.0-1.40s
1954Roger BannisterGBR—May 6, 1954Oxford46 d3:59.4-2.00s
1945Gunder HäggSWE—Jul 17, 1945Malmö8.8 years4:01.4-0.20s
1944Arne AnderssonSWE—Jul 18, 1944Malmö12 months4:01.6-1.00s
1943Arne AnderssonSWE—Jul 1, 1943Gothenburg13 months4:02.6-2.00s
1942Gunder HäggSWE—Sep 4, 1942Stockholm10 months4:04.6-1.60s
1942Arne AnderssonSWE—Jul 10, 1942Stockholm56 d4:06.2—
1942Gunder HäggSWE—Jul 1, 1942Gothenburg9 d4:06.2-0.20s
1937Sydney WoodersonGBR—Aug 28, 1937Motspur Park4.8 years4:06.4-0.40s
1934Glenn CunninghamUSA—Jun 16, 1934Princeton, N.J.3.2 years4:06.8-0.80s
1933Jack LovelockNZL—Jul 15, 1933Princeton, N.J.11 months4:07.6-1.60s
1931Jules LadoumegueFRA—Oct 4, 1931Paris21 months4:09.2-1.20s
1923Paavo NurmiFIN—Aug 23, 1923Stockholm8.1 years4:10.4-2.20s
1915Norman TaberUSA—Jul 16, 1915Allston, Mass.8.1 years4:12.6-0.15s
1886Walter GeorgeGBR—Aug 23, 1886London28.9 years4:12.75-3.45s
1881William CummingsGBR—May 14, 1881Preston5.3 years4:16.2-1.05s
1865William LangGBR—Aug 19, 1865Manchester15.7 years4:17.25—
1865William RichardsGBR—Aug 19, 1865ManchesterEqualled4:17.25-2.75s
1864Edward MillsGBR—Jun 25, 1864Manchester14 months4:20-0.50s
1864Edward MillsGBR—Apr 23, 1864Manchester2 months4:20.5-1.25s
1863William LangGBR—Jul 11, 1863Manchester9 months4:21.75-0.50s
1860Siah AlbisonGBR—Oct 27, 1860Manchester2.7 years4:22.25-0.75s
1858Thomas HorspoolGBR—Jul 12, 1858Manchester2.3 years4:23-5.00s
1857Thomas HorspoolGBR—Sep 28, 1857Manchester9 months4:28—
1855Charles WesthallGBR—Jul 26, 1855London2.2 years4:28-24.00s
1852Cadet MarshallGBR—Sep 2, 1852Addiscome2.9 years4:52—
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Josh Kerr (United Kingdom) holds the Mile Men world record with 3:42.66, set on July 18, 2026 in London.

Hicham El Guerrouj (Morocco) held it with 3:43.13, from July 7, 1999 until July 18, 2026 (27 years).

Elite Trackr's progression lists 43 improvements since 1852, when Cadet Marshall set 4:52.