By Chris Chavez
February 19, 2024
1500m world champion Josh Kerr has changed his mind and plans to run the 3000m at the upcoming World Indoor Championships in Glasgow from March 1-3.
Here’s what you need to know:
– Kerr initially did not plan on competing at the World Indoor Championships to focus on the 2024 outdoor season preparation, where he looks to be a gold medal contender in the men’s 1500m. Kerr and his coach, Danny Mackey, were debating on whether or not to participate.
Here’s what he said in December: “It’s in Glasgow. I grew up racing there. So I’m banging the drum for it…But he’s like: ‘Well, you know, you told me that everything has to be towards this 6 August goal. So why are we getting emotional when, even if you win World Indoor gold, if you don’t make the Olympics, then the year is a failure.’
– Kerr left the door open to reversing course on his plans following his two-mile world record at the Millrose Games. He told reporters: “I think I’ve shown I’m in great shape and if my legs hold up, why not?”
Who will he face in Glasgow?
– The 3000m will be a straight final and features some strong competition. U.S. 1500m and mile record holder Yared Nuguse is coming off a 3000m victory at the U.S. Indoor Track and Field Championships in Albuquerque. Kerr has only beaten Nuguse once in his career – his victory at the 2023 World Championships 1500m final. They have never raced over 1500m in their three career head-to-head matchups.
– Ethiopia may be sending the toughest opposition as 3000m indoor world record holder Lamecha Girma heads to Scotland with a 7:29.09 season’s best from the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston three weeks ago. However, 2022 world indoor champion Selemon Barega holds the world’s fastest time of the year with a 7:25.82, which improved his own No. 5 all-time indoor mark, at the World Indoor Tour meet in Toruń. Girma beat Kerr in the 1500m at last year’s Lausanne Diamond League, which is their only head-to-head race. Kerr has never faced Barega.
– Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen will not race World Indoors as he recovers from an Achilles injury. According to Norwegian media reports, he does not plan to open up the season until the Spring.
Who else is on the team?
The full British Athletics roster can be found below:
Women: Georgia Bell (1500m), Isabelle Boffey (800m), Molly Caudery (pole vault), Morgan Lake (high jump), Laura Muir (3,000m), Laviai Nielsen (400m), Jemma Reekie (800m), Cindy Sember (60m hurdles), Revee Walcott-Nolan (1500m)
4x400m relay pool: Hannah Brier, Hannah Kelly, Jessie Knight, Laviai Nielsen, Lina Nielsen and Ama Pipi
Men: Jeremiah Azu (60m), Callum Elson, (1500m), Adam Fogg (1500m), Josh Kerr (3,000m), David King (60m hurdles), Tade Ojora (60m hurdles)
Chris Chavez
Chris Chavez launched CITIUS MAG in 2016 as a passion project while working full-time for Sports Illustrated. He covered the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and grew his humble blog into a multi-pronged media company. He completed all six World Marathon Majors and is an aspiring sub-five-minute miler.
