Millrose Games: Josh Kerr Reveals His Thoughts About Rivalry With Jakob Ingebrigtsen Ahead of His 2 Mile Race

The best indoor track and field invitational, the 116th annual Millrose Games, is about to display the skills of athletes from around the world. Amidst the veterans, the rivalry between the Norwegian sensation Jakob Ingebrigtsen and the British master of middle-distance running, Josh Kerr, is one standout. The excitement for their matchup is building to a crescendo while Kerr’s 2020 Olympic bronze medal hangs proudly around his neck.

While new success in making a two-mile World record awaits Kerr, a recent conversation drove his attention to track rivalry with the Norwegian. However, did the British runner cave, or his sights are firm on the track record? Let’s find out.

Millrose Games venue turns to runner’s battleground

On his rivalry with Ingebrigtsen, Kerr is anything from taciturn in anticipation of the Millrose Games. Rather than diminishing the tension, Kerr appears clear-minded as he looks ahead to the 2024 Paris Olympics. In an interview with LetsRun.com on YouTube, Kerr addressed the competitive atmosphere of the Millrose Games, saying, “I think you know what’s great is there is a rivalry there’s a rivalry between myself and Whitman and and iner britson and yard and everyone there’s always going to be because we’re we’re all trying to go after that you know that gold medal in Paris.”

Kerr added, “At this race you know I’m not racing any of those guys and I’m racing an off distance and that’s what I’m focused on and I think everyone is is now focused on their own own abilities.” The reigning 26-year-old World 1500m champion, is thus not giving their rivalry any thought. Instead, he is putting all of his attention into the two-mile race where Kerr aims to break Mo Farah’s world record of 8:03.40 created at the 2015 Birmingham Indoor Grand Prix.

However, the threat looms as the US record holder Grant Fisher and Cole Hocker, who placed sixth in the Olympic 1500 meters, will be up against Kerr. He will also be up against New Zealander Geordie Beamish and former US 1500m champion Cooper Teare. However, while this race wasn’t a Kerr and Ingebrigtsen battleground, their beef continues to grow with each race.

The Kerr-Ingebrigtsen rivalry

At last year’s World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Kerr beat the Norwegian to win the 1500m gold, and the rivalry between Kerr and Ingebrigtsen began.

Following the championship, their interactions became more intense as Kerr publically spoke about what he saw to be Ingebrigtsen’s flaws, both on and off the track.

READ MORE Millrose Games: Josh Kerr Opens About His History and Plans, Says “I Haven’t Quite Got the Win”

In a podcast last year, Kerr called Ingebrigtsen out for having “major weaknesses” along with labeling him as “very beatable.” How did Ingebrigtsen respond? Calling Kerr “just the next guy” following his August victory in the world championship. Now, facing the sold-out event at the Armory in NYC, Kerr is once again up to show his mettle to back his verbal promises.

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