EUGENE, Ore. — With about 700 meters left in the Bowerman Mile, British middle-distance star Josh Kerr turned the tables in one of the most riveting races in track and field. Because a message needs to be sent. Because Kerr has heard enough from Norwegian superstar Jakob Ingebritsen to declare himself unbeatable. Because beef brings something extra from competitors.
So Cole took action early.
“I think it scared the coaching staff because they specifically told me not to do it,” Kerr said later. “I said, ‘If I feel like it’s time, I’m going to go.'” … I don’t really listen to other people’s opinions when it comes to game strategy. I’ll go with my gut.
When the second round started, Cole was already in the lead. He surpassed Britain’s Jack Whiteman. Past American Yared Nuguse. Past Ingebritsson. Surpassing Kenyan player Abel Kipsang. Kerr left his toughest foes behind in the final 600 meters of Saturday’s Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field. Speechless retort. He shows off his confidence and training. He dared the world’s No. 1 to catch up to him.
Ingebritsen couldn’t do it. Not on this day.
Kerr set a new world-leading mile time of 3:45.34 and set a new British record. The most interesting thing, though, is that it adds a new layer to the competition. Kerr’s move on Saturday changed the dynamics of a chess match between the world’s greatest middle-distance runners, adding more suspense to the possibility of medal contention in Paris this August.
What a run from Josh Cole!
This is a new British men’s mile record.#BBCathletics #eugenedl pic.twitter.com/lDnHddRWEe
What a run from Josh Cole!
This is a new British men’s mile record.#BBCathletics #eugenedl pic.twitter.com/lDnHddRWEe
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) May 25, 2024
This was Ingebritson’s second consecutive loss to another elite player. So you know his best is coming. The reigning Olympic 1500m gold medalist will respond like a champion.
He ran a time of 3 minutes, 45.60 seconds in Saturday’s mile, his first since an Achilles injury forced him to miss the indoor season.
“I tried to compete with him,” said Ingebritsson, whose last race will be the 3,000m at the 2023 Prefontaine Classic in September. “But for me, today was the time trial. Of course, we are racing, but there is definitely something different in terms of approach to this race. For some, this is their last test before the Paris Olympics. But It’s not my final test so there’s definitely a big difference in how we look at the game.
This race is full of talents and is known as the “Mile of the Century.” Amazon followed Ingebritsen with cameras as the Norwegian star made her way to Paris. This is the most talked about matchup of the year. The eyes of the global sports world are on them. This was Kerr’s debut for Prefontaine.
He made it very clear on Friday that he came to the University of Oregon in search of some Norwegian smoke.
“I’m not here to resolve tensions,” Kerr said. As he said this, sitting to his left was: Ingebrigtsen. Cole’s expression was serious and his tone was anything but conciliatory, betraying his boredom.
“I’m here to run a mile and hopefully go down in history this century. I’m here to try to be the best in the world. … If that pisses people off or pisses off the competition, I’m sure it will because the world All trying to do what I’m doing.
Relieve tension? No. This is the hottest beef since Kendrick Lamar and Drake.
Yes, Kerr listens to Kendrick.
“Yes, of course,” he smiled to show he understood.
Cole was intent on building up the tension. He firmly believed in his academic superiority. It’s that nimble approach to getting out front so early that fuels this juicy soap opera.
He usually plays the role of kicker. It was Ingebritsson who set off early, daring the others to follow him. This is a power move. If his competitors save their energy while he takes the brunt of the brunt, but still can’t catch him, it only proves his dominance. But this time Cole didn’t back down. He’s trying to resonate, and it probably will.
“I had a lot of fun,” Cole said. “At this point in your career, you always look back and think, ‘Those were the glory days.'” I know that’s what they are now. So I just enjoy it as much as I can.
It was a heaped field. Nugus’s world-leading time (best time ever) entering Prefontaine at the Millrose Games in New York in February was 3 minutes, 47.83 seconds. On Saturday at Hayward Field, Whiteman matched that time and finished fifth. Seven runners ran a time of 3 minutes and 49 seconds.
But after three of four laps, Cole, Ingebritsson and Nugus were in the lead. It was highlighted how the Paris-bound trio became a mid-range trio.
American record holder Nugus finished third in 3:46.22. He is undoubtedly the J. Cole of this. Nugus was undoubtedly the happiest of the trio and did not get involved in the animosity. He had a funhouse smile on his face, just like one drawn by a cartoonist. For future orthodontists. He only consumes positive vibes. He’d rather break down Pokémon or send vibes to Swift than get into competitive banter.
Nugus said running in the shadows as an underrated threat is one of the benefits of all the attention focused on the tense relationship between Kerr and Ingebritsen. He believed this made him dangerous in Paris.
“I’ve always believed that happiness is a stronger emotion than anger,” Nugus said Friday. “Especially when you’re competing. Anger is something that comes and goes and disappears quickly. But I think if you’re really enjoying what you’re doing and having fun, I think that’s The motivation to keep going is what really helps in the last 200 meters. I always think that and it always works for me.
Track and field website Citius Mag has the full schedule for the Kerr-Ingebrigtsen beef, which officially begins in August 2023.
But for a quickie, it starts with the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. star. Cole capitalized on a late burst to win the bronze medal.
Then, at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, when Ingebritsson was still shining golden light, Whiteman surprised him in the 1,500 meters and won from Ingebritsson in the final 300 meters. Got the gold medal in hand.
Josh Kerr leads Jakob Ingebrigtsen in the 1,500m final at the 2023 World Championships. Kerr defeated his opponent again on Saturday in Eugene, Oregon.
This makes the 2023 World Championships in Budapest the next big stage for Ingebritsen to regain his dominant position. But Cole’s late surge, similar to Whiteman’s, pushed Ingebritsson back toward silver. After losing the game, Ingebritsson said that he had not recovered to 100%, and Cole’s breakthrough victory brought him some glory.
When asked later if he was looking forward to a rematch with Kerr, Ingebritsson revealed that he wasn’t fully healthy yet and dismissed suggestions that he was on the same level as Kerr, saying he was “just next in line.”
In November, Cole fought back. He said Ingebritsson’s ego was pretty high and he had some major weaknesses that had better be addressed or he wouldn’t win gold in Paris.
In February, Ingebritsson told a Norwegian-language publication that he would win “98 out of 100” games against Cole and Whiteman.
Two weeks later, Cole set a new world record for the two miles at the Millrose Olympics, where Ingebritsson, who was out injured, declared he would beat Cole blindfolded.
In March, Ingebritsson declared his rivals irrelevant, telling The Times: “The big problem is giving attention to people like Cole. That’s what he’s looking for. Something was missing, and he was looking for it in others.
Yes, tensions have been building for almost a year. Saturday was not the time to lighten the mood. But let your feet do the talking. Hayward Field was packed with savvy racing fans who were practically salivating at the palpable tension. Olympic-level drama in a Diamond League game. What happened in Prefontaine on Saturday will only make it all the more fascinating when they meet again in August.
“Some of my competitors,” Ingebritson said, “have clearly taken a step in the right direction. But to be a favorite in Paris, it’s probably not that big of a step.
(Above photo of Josh Cole beating Jacob Ingebritson in the Bowerman Mile on Saturday: Stephen Chambers/Getty Images)
