Elliot Giles smashes world road mile record in Dusseldorf

Great Britain’s Elliot Giles broke the world road mile record as he soared to victory in the men’s race at the Kö Meile in Dusseldorf on Sunday (1 September).

The Paris 2024 800m semi-finalist crossed the line in 3:51.3 ahead of United States 1500m bronze medallist Yared Nuguse, who was hot on his heels in 3:51.9.

Both runners smashed the ratified world record of 3:56.13 set by Hobbs Kessler at the 2023 World Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia. They also improved on the 3:54.6 mark set by Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi earlier this year, which is still pending ratification.

Kenyan Vincent Keter finished the race third, in a time of 3:54.6.

Giles’ efforts cap in Germany an emotional summer for the British runner, who was initially left off Team GB’s athletics roster for the Games after falling during the 800m at the UK Championships in Manchester.

He was subsequently added to the squad following the withdrawal of Jake Wightman due to injury, but was then knocked out in the semi-finals of the 800m.