Surrounded by a roaring crowd anticipating history, last weekend Scottish runner Josh Kerr delivered on their hopes and set a new world record for fastest mile, running the distance in a blistering 3 ...

As running records tumbled left and right in the era of the super shoe, one mark had remained stubbornly in place.

“It’s a very calming sensation, a trigger,” Kerr, 28, said. “As soon as it happens, it is my body telling me everything I don’t need is shutting off, and I’m going to get to the line as quickly as pos...