Josh Kerr Sprints to Fastest Mile Ever, Breaks World Record in This Brooks Shoe
The British runner smashed the world record, achieving the feat in 3:42.66.
Another major running world record has been smashed in London, and Brooks is at the center of the major moment. Josh Kerr ran the fastest men’s mile ever on Saturday, finishing in 3.42.66 at the IAAF Diamond League athletics competition.
The Scottish-born Kerr wore a custom spike and speed suit, created in collaboration with Brooks. The brand said the athlete’s Hyperion 222 shoe was designed for Kerr’s biomechanics, “including his unique foot strike, asymmetrical push-off and demand for an ultra-aggressive ride.”
The style’s name is derived from “Project 222,” the joint campaign between Brooks and the athlete in their quest to break the men’s record for the outdoor mile. (222 is the number of seconds that it took to beat the prior world record of 3:43.13, set by Morocco’s Hicham El Guerrouj in 1999.)
The shoe was developed using Brooks’ Run Research Lab and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) data.
Kerr, 28, also sported a speed suit that was “crafted to enhance aerodynamics and breathability, with laser cut perforations that release heat and humidity while enhancing mobility.”
Brooks continues to be one of the running market’s most dominant brands. It began 2026 with double-digit growth in the first quarter as demand remained strong across regions and channels. The company said it delivered its strongest quarter in brand history after a record-breaking 2025.
Kerr’s record came less than three months after Adidas athlete Sebastian Sawe broke the marathon world record in London, finishing the race in under 2 hours.
While the mile run isn’t included in Olympics competitions, it has been a major focus for many brands in the past few years. Kenyan runner Faith Kipyegon, 31, almost made history in Paris last summer in her attempt to run a mile in under 4 minutes. The Nike athlete barely missed the feat, though she broke her own world record, finishing in 4:06:91.
Details on Brooks :
Brooks Running (legally Brooks Sports, Inc.) is wholly owned by Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett's conglomerate. Brooks operates as an independent subsidiary headquartered in Seattle, Washington.
Ownership history
- 1914 – Founded in Philadelphia by John Brooks Goldenberg.
- 1981 – Acquired by Wolverine World Wide after bankruptcy.
- 2004 – Acquired by Russell Corporation.
- 2006 – Russell was acquired by Fruit of the Loom, itself owned by Berkshire Hathaway, bringing Brooks into Berkshire's portfolio.
- 2011–2012 – Brooks became a direct standalone subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, rather than being managed through Fruit of the Loom.
Why Berkshire keeps Brooks
Berkshire Hathaway typically acquires strong businesses and allows them to operate independently. Brooks has continued to focus exclusively on performance running shoes and apparel while benefiting from Berkshire's long-term ownership model and capital support.
Today, Brooks is led by Dan Sheridan (CEO) and is one of the leading performance running brands globally, competing with brands such as Nike, ASICS, Hoka, and On. Recent reports indicate annual revenue exceeded $1.3 billion in 2024, with continued growth expected.