Josh Kerr's Project 222 attempt at the world record in the mile happens Saturday...

DUBLIN--We wrote about it at the end of March when it was announced, and now it's here.

Saturday at the London Stadium which hosted the 2012 Olympics, and the 2017 World Athletics Championships, the Novuna London Athletics Meet is the venue for Brooks' Project 222 (the number of seconds it takes to go under the current world record of 3:43.13), where Josh Kerr (Brooks Running photo) of Seattle's Brooks Beasts will attempt to take down the 27-year old record in the mile set by Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj set in Rome.

Unlike Kenyan Faith Kipyegon's attempt to become the first woman to break 4 minutes in the mile last year, Kerr's attempt will come in the context of an official race as part of a sanctioned track meet.

The field in the eleventh stop of the Wanda Diamond League in the men's mile is no slouch, as it includes Paris Olympic bronze medalist Yared Nuguse of the USA; Great Britain's Neil Gourley, and Germany's Robert Farken.

Kerr, the 2023 world champion at 1500 meters for Great Britain, will have Beasts teammate Brannon Kidder, along with Slovenia's Žan Rudolf as the designated pacesetters.

Assuming an even pace, the pacers will need to go through 800 meters in 1:50.38, 1000 meters in and 2:17.97, and 1200 in 2:45.57 for a shot at 3:43.13. Obviously, the pace will be tweaked, but you get the idea.

Besides Kerr and Kidder, the field will also have Washington alum Nathan Green, and Seattle resident Sam Prakel in the race. Green last raced on June 26th in Zagreb, Croatia, getting the win over 1500 meters in 3:32.46 at the Boris Hanžeković Memorial. Prakel won the Morton Mile last week in a meet record 3:50.97, missing his personal best of 3:50.94 set in 2019.

Both Green and Prakel train under UW men's coach Andy Powell, and have been doing their preparations for their European tour and next week's Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships in New York in St. Moritz, Switzerland.

THE GEAR

According to information provided by Brooks, Kerr's Hyperion 222 spike is truly a one-of-a kind spike.

The spike features a optimized foam compound for an all‑out mile, a carbon fiber plate with integrated traction and titanium permanent pins for full‑tilt racing, and an extreme rocker geometry that launches him off the toe instantly.  

The plate has a never-seen rocker design that wraps Josh’s foot to account for his strength and terminal velocity.

The pins that provide the traction are made of titanium, and are custom fit for a one-time use.

The Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) band and upper were sculpted to his foot shape for a locked‑in fit, while subtle plate wrap‑ups support his stride through turns. With no need for heel cushioning for Josh and a preference for maximum stiffness, the result is a purpose-built instrument designed for Josh to chase the world record.

Instead of wearing a traditional singlet and shorts, Kerr is opting to go with a speed suit, first popularized by sprinters, and going mainstream by middle distance runners over the last few years.

Josh’s speed suit was purpose-built for one mission: carrying him through a warm July mile at WR pace with zero distraction. Its two‑fabric construction balances aerodynamics and breathability, with laser cut perforations that release heat and humidity while enhancing mobility through the lower half. 

A streamlined, sleeveless high‑neck silhouette, minimal seams, and moisture‑wicking panels that help keep him cool, dry, and locked into rhythm. Every detail reflects his personal preferences—from the familiar feel of the chosen fabrics after multiple trials to the simplicity of a traditional front zipper.

We will be in London beginning Wednesday afternoon to cover the Novuna London Athletics Meet.

HARRY JEROME AND GYULAI ISTVÁN MEMORIAL TUESDAY NIGHT...

The Harry Jerome Track Classic take place Tuesday night at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, British Columbia, just outside of Vancouver.

Washington rising sophomore Chloe Symon is entered in the women's 800 meters, where she'll face a field that includes Washington alum Eleanor Fulton.

Fulton is also entered in the women's 1500m, where she's scheduled to race a field that includes fellow UW alum Claire Yerby. Yerby is also entered in the women's 5000.

Sam Whitmarsh of the Brooks Beasts is entered in both the men's 800 and 1500. Olympia resident Katie Burnett is entered in the women's 3000 walk.

Media partner RunnerSpace.com ($) will stream the meet starting at 1 pm Pacific. The link to live results are available here.

In Budapest, the Gyulai István Memorial – Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix takes place Tuesday night at the National Athletics Centre.

It's the same venue that hosted the world championships three years ago, and will host the newly created World Athletics Ultimate Championships in September.

Washington alum Joe Waskom is entered in the men's 1500, where he'll face a field that includes Villanova alum Marco Langon, as well as Anass Essayi of Morocco, Neil Gourley of Great Britain, and Norway's Narve Nordås.

Former Washington State Cougar Mason Lawyer is entered in the men's 200, where he faces a field that includes Canadian Aaron Brown, and Australia's Lachlan Kennedy.

The Gyulai István Memorial is a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold Meeting, and will be streamed via Flotrack ($) starting at 10 am Pacific.

The start list and time schedule for the meet is available here. 

STUFF WE MISSED...

Last Saturday at the Spanish U23 Championships, Washington's Sofia Cosculluela finished third in the women's long jump. 

The reigning NCAA heptathlon champ jumped a best of 20-11.25 (6.38m).

One other result we missed was at the Moore Guldensporenmeeting in Kortrijk, where Washington incoming transfer Jonathan Podbielski finished sixth in the men's 1500 in a personal best 3:36.14.

NOTE: Brooks Running, the Harry Jerome Track Classic, Gyulai István Memorial, European Athletics, Wanda Diamond League, and World Athletics  contributed to this report.

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