Breaking the Tape

So will he do it? After months of talking about it, Josh Kerr finally gets the chance to take his shot at the mile world record this weekend at the London Diamond League. He and his coach Danny Mackey are confident based off his recent workouts, but will the lack of a real world class middle distance man to pace him to 1200m prove a problem? When Hicham El Guerrouj ran 3:43.13 in 1999, he had Olympic 800m champion William Tanui take him all the way to the bell, dropping him off on pace with just one lap to run. Kerr, on the other hand, can only rely on Brooks Beast teammate Brannon Kidder and journeyman pacer Zan Rudolf, neither of whom is likely to be able to go beyond 1km.

But one similarity with that 1999 Rome Golden Gala race is the presence of another world class miler. El Guerrouj was pushed all the way to the line by Noah Ngeny, who would go on to beat him at the Sydney Olympics the following year, and in London Kerr will be challenged by long-time rival Yared Nuguse. With their all-time head to head record standing at 7-7 (including 800m / 3000m races) could Nuguse pip the Brit to the line, and potentially even the record?

Let me know in the poll whether you think either of them will break the world record, and check out my video below for an overview of how Kerr has trained in preparation for this attempt:

https://youtu.be/Q38Dw2gZPMY?si=t4vnp...

Of course, Kerr isn't the only star attraction on show in London. Keely Hodgkinson might have suffered a setback at the Pre Classic with defeat to Lilian Odira, but she will be out to run fast and show she can still lay claim to being the number one 800m runner in the world, in a race that was originally billed as an 800m world record attempt, before her recent injury scares. With Femke Broeders-Bol also lining up against her for the first time and training partner Georgia Hunter-Bell present, we can expect fireworks in that one.

And finally, we have the potential for another middle distance world record in the men's 800m. Fresh off his 1000m world record in Monaco, can Emmanuel Wanyonyi get close to his legendary countryman David Rudisha's mark, set on the same track at the London 2012 Olympics? With long time rival Marco Arop in the field, it's guaranteed to be fast.

Enjoy the action on Saturday!

1 day ago | [YT] | 8

Breaking the Tape

The thing I'm most excited about at the upcoming Monaco Diamond League isn't any of the established track stars. It's a triathlete. Olympic Champion Alex Yee is on the start line and must be looking to run sub-13 for the 5k, for two reasons:

1. His training on Strava over the last few weeks seems to be geared to that pace.
2. He has no option - the race is likely to be paced at something around 12:45, and he will be on his own if he doesn't go with it.

Now obviously I'm pumped for this - if a triathlete can run 12:xx for a 5k, then it would turn the running world on it's head. Let me know in the poll how fast you think he's run, and catch my video analysing whether he can do the unthinkable below.

https://youtu.be/W3U7VzW1fm8?si=AlRzO...

And Yee won't be the only triathlete lining up in Monaco. French star Cassandre Beaugrand is also there, taking on an arguably even bigger challenge. She is running the women's 3000m, which was originally meant to be a world record attempt by Faith Kipyegon. After a disappointing showing over the mile at the Prefontaine Classic last weekend, that one's up in the air, but I'm hoping she still gives it a shot. Wang Junxia's record from 1993 is one of the most controversial in track, but also one of the best stories. Check out my video on that one too, profiling the madness behind that epic 1993 season from the Chinese distance runners known as Ma's Army.

https://youtu.be/smOK74w6uAk?si=-hCIK...

There is plenty more on offer in Monaco too. Kebinatshipi has a chance of a super fast time in the 400m, there's a potential world record on offer for Wanyonyi in the 1000m, and the women's 200m and men's 100m start lists look stacked. Happy viewing everyone!😊

1 week ago | [YT] | 10

Breaking the Tape

Is this the most STACKED field ever at a Diamond League? The Prefontaine Classic this weekend promises to be unreal. On the resurfaced track that saw crazy times at NCAAs in June, the biggest stars in the world get the chance to show they are the real deal.

Breakdown of the key events below - it might seem hyperbolic, but I reckon there are as many as eight track events that could see times close to the world record!

Let me know in the poll and comments which you are most looking forward to.

*Men's Bowerman Mile*
Can Cam Myers, Niels Laros, Cole Hocker and Yared Nuguse spoil Josh Kerr's highly publicised world record attempt in London two weeks from now by beating him to it here? Only Myers is likely in shape to get close, but it'll be a great race regardless. Watch out for NCAA breakout star Simeon Birnbaum, who has put in some crazy fast laps this year - he could steal the headlines if it doesn't go out fast.

*Women's Mile*
Faith Kipyegon returns and will be expected to dominate. She set the world record in the 1500m here last year and could attempt to do the same in the mile. But Georgia-Hunter Bell has been in excellent form this season with eight wins from nine races this year. Could the Brit hang on and spring a huge upset?

*Women's Mutola 800m*
After Audrey Werro's attempts at the oldest world record in track in Ostrava and Paris, it's Keely Hodgkinson's turn to give it a crack in Eugene. The British star is also facing off against her rival from the World Championships last year, Lilian Odira, in what promises to be a fascinating race.

*Men's 800m*
Not part of the full Diamond League card, but any race with Cooper Lutkenhaus in it deserves a mention these days. After taking down Olympic gold and silver medallists Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Marco Arop in his last two outings, is this his chance to run 1:41 for the first time?

*Men's 400m*
After Samuel Ogazi took down Collen Kebinatshipi's world lead at NCAAs on this track, the Motswana will be looking to take it back here. The field is incredible, and he will face off against his American rival from the anchor leg of last year's 4 x 400m relay at World Champs, Rai Benjamin, who will be looking for revenge after being pipped on the line in Tokyo. A breakdown of Kebinatshipi's chances can be seen in my most recent video:

https://youtu.be/wCpzq-XWvr0?si=VE8n-...

*Men's 110m / Women's 100m Hurdles*
World record possibilities in both here. Ja'Kobe Tharp broke the men's world record on this track just three weeks ago at NCAAs, and on the women's side Tobi Amusen and Masai Russel are inching closer and closer. Could we see one or both marks go down?

*Women's 100m*
The men's 100m is stacked too, but the women's has to be the main event for the short sprints. Six women in the field have run faster than 10.90 this year already, and perennial favourites Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and Sha'Carri Richardson will have their work cut out to beat world leader and NCAA Freshman Adaejah Hodge, who ran the fourth-fastest time ever at Outdoor Nationals three weeks ago.

We are in for some amazing viewing, so enjoy the weekend's action, and make sure to check back in afterwards for some of the best analysis videos out there😊

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 8

Breaking the Tape

The Paris Diamond League this weekend promises to be one of the most exciting meets of the season so far. Audrey Werro and Femke Broeders-Bol toe the start line again in another much anticipated 800m race. Can Werro take another step towards finally breaking the oldest world record in track?

But the storylines don’t stop there. We have the return of Niels Laros in the men’s 1500m, lining up in a battle of the prodigies against Australian Cam Myers, although Azeddine Habz might have something to say about the outcome of that race after running 3:27 for the win here last year. The men’s 5000m should also be great viewing, with Almgren, Fisher and a host of top Ethiopians and Kenyans chasing fast times.

And then we have the sprints. Can Colleen Kebinatshipi respond to Sam Ogazi’s huge 43.38 run at NCAAs to prove he remains the undisputed king of the 400m? And similarly, can Noah Lyles, Jordan Anthony et al show the pro 100m big dogs remain ahead of their college counterparts?

No mid-week video from me this week, but be sure to tune in after Paris, when I’ll be breaking down the biggest storylines to come out of what could be the best Diamond League meet so far. See you then!

3 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 34

Breaking the Tape

After her 51.14 400m in Rome, how fast will Keely Hodgkinson run in her 800m outdoor season opener in Stockholm on Sunday? The Brit is one of the star attractions on a stacked set of start lists, which also features intriguing match ups in the men's 800m and 1500m.

With it looking likely that she will try to take a shot at Jarmila Kratochvilova's world record alongside Josh Kerr's mile world record attempt at the London Diamond League on 18th July, a good showing in Stockholm would give a lot of confidence that 1:53.28 might be possible this season.

For a more in depth analysis of her 400m performance in Rome and how that affects her chances, see my most recent video below:

https://youtu.be/_82GDpCyi0Q?si=xKWZB...

Have a great weekend!😊

1 month ago | [YT] | 10

Breaking the Tape

Can this man run sub-2 in London? Jacob Kiplimo's redemption at the Lisbon Half Marathon, where he regained the Half Marathon World Record after World Athletics had refused to ratify his 56:42 from February 2025, set up his clash with Sebastian Sawe next month beautifully. It might not have been quite as fast this time around (57:20), but there were two big mitigating factors:

1. No pacers, and more of a race. Nicholas Kipkorir was with Kiplimo until 15km, meaning it was more about securing the win for the Ugandan. 5k splits of 13:28 / 13:32 / 13:52 / 13:31 showed the pace slowed in that crucial third 5k before Kiplimo made his move. Had he been simply time trialling, a faster finish time seems likely.

2. Closer to London than Barcelona last year. This means Kiplimo was likely in heavier training and probably didn't taper much for this race, with London only seven weeks away. He is also running higher mileage than he was in early 2025, as at that point he had only recently increased above his previous 150km a week up to 200km, whereas he is now running well above that. The fatigue from that extra load will have been harder to overcome.

With Sawe seemingly in sub-2 shape when he ran 2:02:16 in 25 degrees celsius in Berlin last year, Kiplimo will have his work cut out to get the win. The weather can be variable in London, but if it's good conditions and the pacers take them through halfway in 60 minutes, surely one of them will kick away over the last 10km to a world record time and possibly the elusive sub-2?

Let me know what you think will happen, and watch out for a video soon assessing how likely a world record might be.

4 months ago | [YT] | 18

Breaking the Tape

It's the BU Last Chance Meet this Sunday, and that means one thing: the last chance for Sam Ruthe to run another mind-blowing time on his US tour. After running the fastest mile ever by a 16-year-old and breaking the New Zealand record last time out in Boston with his 3:48.88, could there be another age grade world best, or even another national record in the 3000m on the cards? Let me know how fast you think he'll run below.

Other than that it's a fairly quiet weekend of track at the top level, as the Americans start to gear up for the US Indoor Championships in a week's time. Some good performances from stars such as Cooper Lutkenhaus, Yared Nuguse, Cole Hocker and Nico Young there could preclude the most successful ever World Indoor Championships for the US in the men's distance events, with Lutkenhaus, Hocker and Young real contenders for gold in the 800m, 1500m and 3000m. Check out my video analysing whether the 17-year-old Lutkenhaus can shock the world and become the youngest ever world champion on the track, linked below.

https://youtu.be/27E8Pa4-Rmo?si=B5hl4...

Enjoy your Sunday, and watch out for another epic performance from Ruthe later on!

4 months ago | [YT] | 15

Breaking the Tape

We are gearing up for the biggest mile race of the year so far this Saturday! 16 year old Sam Ruthe is due to challenge Olympic champion Cole Hocker at the Sound Invite on the JDL Fast Track. After his stunning 3:48 in Boston, is there a chance the teenager could take down Hocker and a strong field of pros? Check out my video previewing the race below:

https://youtu.be/aLshynrkFCw?si=1HBcL...

Hocker is the clear favourite having beaten the best two mile field on record at Millrose at the start of this month, destroying Josh Kerr and Geordie Beamish in New York and looking like he had plenty left in the tank. His early season time trials have been faster than ever before too, with his 2:16.30 1k last weekend two seconds quicker than he managed at this stage of the season in 2024 and 2025. Does this mean we are finally seeing a Cole Hocker willing to treat regular season races with the seriousness that he does championships, and perhaps chase some world records in 2026? The Sound Invite will be his first chance to show his intention to run fast times in distances that matter, and with the pace lights rumoured to be set at 3:46 flat, there’s every chance we will see that happen.

But Sam Ruthe has made this race much more complicated than it was intended to be. Added to the start list within minutes of his breakout race in Boston, his presence changes this from a Hocker procession to a potential banana skin. Losing to a 16-year-old would not be a good look, but after Ruthe’s performances this winter season, there is a small chance it could happen. With the fast times already in the bank, there is no need for Ruthe to push the pace here, and if he can gain a few percent from drafting behind Hocker and can hang on to 3:46 pace, then it might be a closer finish than their respective pedigrees would suggest. Ruthe ran a very impressive 1:45 800m to beat training partner Sam Tanner in January, and has been making 25 second 200m reps look easy in training, so his kick will be a threat even to the Olympic champion, and might just put Hocker in two minds about whether he sticks to the plan and forces the pace with the aim of a fast time, or sits back and maximises his chances of winning in a kick.

With more sub-3:50 milers in Sam Tanner, Festus Lagat and Vince Ciattei in the field looking to stake their claims, plus Hocker’s training partner Cooper Teare, it’s sure to be a fun race. Let me know how you think it will go, and see you after the race on Saturday for another race recap video😄

5 months ago | [YT] | 20

Breaking the Tape

Femke Bol is not wasting time! After announcing her switch to the 800m at the end of last season, she will race in the event for the first time in an indoor race in Metz on Sunday. This is exciting - she initially said that she would first race “when we see I’m ready, when we see I’ve trained all aspects and I’m not lagging behind anywhere.”

For her and coach Laurent Meuwly to already decide to attack a race then, shows she has taken to 800m training faster than many expected, and we can look forward to a big debut this weekend. The field isn't weak either. There are three 1:58 women racing, and everyone on the start line other than Bol has run sub-2 minutes.

So how fast will she run? I'm expecting something quick. Her coach claims she has run 1:23 for a 600m time trial in training, and this is already similar to the indoor world record in that event (Keely Hodgkinson's 1:23.41). Let me know what you think in the comments below😊

5 months ago | [YT] | 10

Breaking the Tape

Indoor Season kicks off properly this weekend! The Millrose Games is going to be epic, but first we have Sam Ruthe racing in Boston. Lining up alongside training partner Sam Tanner in a stacked mile field, we will likely see the fastest mile by a 16-year-old on US soil, and after his 3:53 last weekend, it's anyone's guess how fast he will go.

Look out for a recap on my channel soon after the race, and in the meantime, let me know how fast you think Ruthe might run this time out.

Link to the field for the race below:

lancer.trackscoreboard.com/meets/437/events/62/Fin…

5 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 15