Josh Kerr wins inaugural 1500m Ultimate title in Budapest
Josh Kerr of Great Britain won the men's 1500m in Budapest to become the first men's 1500m Ultimate Champion.
He took the title at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship, closing out the inaugural edition of the event in the Hungarian capital. BBC Sport
The championship debuted on 11-13 September 2026 in Budapest, according to official results. World Athletics It is a new global event, staged for the first time this season. Kerr's win makes him its first champion at three and three-quarter laps.
The race had been billed as another meeting between Kerr and Jakob Ingebrigtsen. The pair were scheduled to race each other in the men's 1500m in Budapest. Olympics.com Ingebrigtsen then withdrew from the 1500m. BBC Sport He had already won the Ultimate 5000m title in Budapest two days earlier. World Athletics
Kerr arrived with pedigree and pace. He was the 2023 world champion over 1500m and an Olympic silver medallist. He also holds the world mile record.
His sharpness was clear on the clock. He held the world lead of 3:27.62 going into Budapest, the fastest mark in the world so far this year. That time had come on his way through 1500m during a mile race. Ahead of the championship preview, he had not yet raced a flat 1500m that year. World Athletics
Budapest suits him. He ran 3:29.38 in the city when winning World Championship gold on 23 August 2023.
What makes this stand out is the control it took. Kerr did not have his great rival alongside him, and he did not have a recent 1500m to sharpen him. He still delivered when the title was on the line. For fans, this means a clean start to a new event. First name on the trophy. His name.
