Josh Kerr’s attempt to break the mile world record on July 18 was a spectacle that had the world of athletics abuzz. The 28-year-old Scottish middle-distance star, who had declared his intent to run the mile faster than any human in history in March, was seen wearing a specially designed shoe from Brooks, a Seattle-based company that specializes in performance running shoes and apparel. Kerr’s goal was to shave 2.68 seconds off his previous fastest mile time and supplant Morocco’s Hicham El Guerrouj, who had held the record for 27 years.
The idea of supporting Kerr in his pursuit of history was energizing for those at Brooks. It was rare to build custom shoes and gear for a high-profile athlete, let alone for one particular race. Brooks senior director of footwear innovation, Danny Orr, recalled that Kerr was adamant he could break the record at the London Diamond League meet, where he’d have a crowd of 60,000-plus behind him.
Kerr’s credentials suggested that dismissing him would be unwise. He won three NCAA titles and set a collegiate record in the 1,500 meters at the University of New Mexico, and had medaled at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics at that distance. When he pitched his record-breaking idea to Brooks last November, he was looking ahead to a 2026 season without an Olympics or World Championships. He needed a new challenge to motivate himself.
Brooks engineered Kerr’s tight-fitting sleeveless speedsuit with London’s July heat in mind. It featured laser-cut perforations to maximize breathability and two different fabrics to reduce aerodynamic drag while also prioritizing stretch and ventilation. The company also designed a custom-made pair of Brooks spikes, known as the Hyperion 222, which was engineered for fast, sustained racing.
As Kerr’s record pursuit approached, Brooks released a series of five 222-second YouTube episodes about his pursuit of history and the custom shoes helping make it happen. Media outlets around the world picked up on the story and highlighted Kerr’s quest. Kerr also generated buzz by running a personal-best time in the 800 in late May and an unofficial world-record time in the 1,200 a few weeks later.
Brooks executives were nervously watching from the stands as Kerr prepared to take on the challenge. Senior manager of run research, Bryan Conrad, said that Kerr was starting to smile when he tested the personalized spikes and speedsuit on a Seattle-area track. “He clearly felt very confident in the shoes the first time he started running some laps in them,” Conrad said.
The aggressively curved rocker shape of the Hyperion 222 spike was engineered for exactly that sort of fast, sustained race. Computer modeling helped Brooks tailor the shape, fit and stiffness of the spike to Kerr’s specific foot shape, stride and force production. The question on everyone’s mind was: could Kerr deliver on his audacious plan and break the world record?
The stage was set for a thrilling showdown at the London Diamond League meet. The world would be watching as Kerr took on the challenge of a lifetime. But one thing was certain: only time would tell if Kerr’s 222-second milestone would be a groundbreaking achievement or a bold misstep.
Source: Yahoo Sports