In a recent issue, we reported that Josh Kerr had broken Hicham El Guerrou’s long-standing mile world record. Now that the dust has settled – or at least stopped flying off his custom spikes – we’re looking under the hood to see what helped him run 3:42.66 and what ordinary runners can borrow from Project 222. “Josh Kerr breaks 27-year mile world record” recaps how Kerr publicly called his shot months in advance, then relied on altitude training, two pacers, and years of consistent work to deliver under pressure. We got a preview of that preparation when we analyzed one of his final workouts in: “Why marathon runners should train for the mile.” To get comfortable at goal pace, Kerr used four sets of 200, 600, and 200 meters at roughly mile-record pace, with short recoveries inside each set. He does a total of four sets, but two can lower the demand while offering similar benefits to non-elite runners. Kerr’s Project 222 YouTube playlist also reveals that much of his focus is on the fundamentals. In one episode, he discusses controlled tempo runs, recovery tools, and the decade of steady work required to make a five-minute pace feel sustainable. For info on his gear, check out: “Josh Kerr’s custom Brooks suit and spikes are tuned for exactly 222 seconds of all‑out effort.” Brooks provided custom Hyperion 222 spikes featuring a tailored plate, titanium pins, and a sculpted upper, plus a laser-perforated speed suit designed to reduce heat and chafing. Most of us won’t receive bespoke footwear from a research lab, but Kerr’s broader formula travels well: build consistency first, practice the pace you want to race, and collect the marginal gains once the major ones are covered.

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