Kenya’s teenage sensation Emmanuel Wanyonyi broke the road mile world record at the Adizero Road to Records event in Herzogenaurach, Germany, on Saturday (27).
The 19-year-old set the new record following an incredible run of 3:54.56 seconds in his competitive debut over the distance. Wanyonyi is predominantly an 800-meter runner. The Kenyan won the silver medal in the men’s 800m at the 2023 World Athletics Championship held in Budapest, Hungary.
Deciding to make his mile debut rather than race his specialist distance, Wanyonyi improved the previous world record of 3:56.13 set by USA’s Hobbs Kessler at the World Athletics Road Running Championships Riga 23 in October, despite celebrating on his way to the tape.
“I feel so happy for today. It’s not easy, but I tried to push myself,” said Wanyonyi, the 2021 world U20 800m champion who claimed the Diamond League title last year and received the men’s World Athletics Rising Star award for 2023. “My coach told me it was possible to break the world record.”
Kessler was second on this occasion, chasing Wanyonyi over the finish line in 3:56.18, while South Africa’s Ryan Mphahlele was third in 3:56.45. The pacemaker went off fast and Wanyonyi was at the front of a group that caught and then passed him, with 90 seconds on the clock.
Kessler moved through the field and drew level with Wanyonyi through 1200m, but Wanyonyi responded to the challenge and when Kessler tried to pass him again, he glanced at his rival and kicked. Surging away, Wanyonyi started his celebrations early and pointed at the finish line, before crossing it in world record time.