Kenya's Wanyonyi sets road mile world record in Herzogenaurach

Athletics - Diamond League - Xiamen Diamond League - Egret Stadium, Xiamen, China - September 2, 2023 Kenya's Emmanuel Wanyonyi celebrates after winning the men's 800m final with second placed Canada's Marco Arop REUTERS/Aly Song/ File Photo

Kenya's Emmanuel Wanyonyi on Saturday set a road mile world record at the Road to Records event in Herzogenaurach, Germany, finishing with a time of three minutes and 54.5 seconds.

The race was Wanyonyi's competitive debut in the men's mile category.

The 19-year-old broke the previous record of 3:56.13 set by American Hobbs Kessler in October. Kessler, who also ran on Saturday, finished second with a time of 3:56.1.

Wanyonyi, who specialises in 800 metres, won silver at last year's World Athletics Championships in Budapest, before winning gold at the 2023 Diamond League. REUTERS

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