In early May this year, after Jakob Ingebrigtsen released a highlights reel of his recovery training, people marveled at how quickly he’s bounced back and many are eagerly anticipating a comeback this year from the current king of middle- and long-distance running.

Recently Jakob’s agent revealed that his rehab training is going very smoothly. He had originally planned to return at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, UK, in August. That plan may have changed — he could make his season debut as early as mid‑July.

Among July events, the Diamond League meeting in London on July 18 is the most likely choice to serve as Jakob’s season opener, according to his agent.

If that happens, he would line up against his long‑time rival, British and Budapest World Championships 1500m champion Josh Kerr. London’s Diamond League is also the meet Kerr has chosen for his “Project 222” — i.e., a 1‑mile run in 222 seconds.

The men’s mile world record still stands at 3:43.13, set in 1999 by Moroccan Hicham El Guerrouj. Kerr’s “222” plan aims to lower what’s widely regarded as one of the toughest outdoor records in athletics to 3:42.00.

Responding to Kerr’s late‑March challenge, Jakob and his agent said: “There’s a difference between talking and doing. Jakob won’t fear anyone or any challenge. It’s Jakob’s comeback that’s daunting.”

Comparing the two men’s best performances,

Jakob：1500m 3:26.73 (2024) ，1 mile 3:43.73 (2023)； 

Kerr：1500m 3:27.79 (2024) ，1 mile 3:45.34 (2024)。

If Jakob and Kerr do meet head‑to‑head at the London Diamond League in July, who do you think will prevail — Jakob making a perfect, rousing return from injury, or his “archrival” Kerr succeeding in his bid to break the mile world record?

Everything just got more suspenseful!