What is Hobbs Kessler’s World Record?

Hobbs Kessler, born March 15, 2003, is an American middle-distance runner who set the world record for the road mile on October 1, 2023, at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia. His time of 3:56.13 broke the previous record and earned him a gold medal.

This achievement came at the age of 20, marking Kessler as one of the youngest world record holders in athletics. Kessler's versatility goes far beyond the mile, with impressive performances in the 800m, 1500m, and 3000m events.

A former rock climber, he turned professional in track and field immediately after high school, signing with Adidas in 2021. Kessler trains under coach Ron Warhurst in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as part of the Very Nice Track Club. His rapid rise in the sport has included breaking high school records, qualifying for the Olympics in both the 800m and 1500m, and consistently improving his personal bests across multiple distances.

Early Career and High School Achievements

Kessler's interest in athletics began during his high school years at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor. His father was the high school track coach. However, to maintain a professional approach, renowned University of Michigan coach Ron Warhurst was brought in to plan most of Hobbs' training.

Some of Kessler's high school achievements include:

• February 7, 2021: Broke the U.S. high school indoor mile record with a time of 3:57.66

• May 29, 2021: Ran a 3:34.36 1500m at the Portland Track Festival, breaking the North American U20 and U.S. high school records

• Named the 2021 Gatorade National Track and Field Athlete of the Year

Professional Career

In June 2021, just before competing at the U.S. Olympic Trials, Kessler made the decision to turn professional, signing with Adidas. This move meant forfeiting his commitment to compete for Northern Arizona University.

World Record

Kessler's most significant achievement to date came on October 1, 2023, at the inaugural World Athletics Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia. In a stunning performance, Kessler set a new world record in the road mile with a time of 3:56.13.

The race went as follows:

1. Kessler and teammate Sam Prakel stayed near the front of the field from the start.

2. At the 1K mark, over 20 runners were still in contention, with the leaders passing in 2:30.

3. With less than a quarter-mile to go, Kessler positioned himself on the outside of the lead group.

This performance not only secured Kessler's place in the record books but also earned him a gold medal at the World Championships.

Performances and Personal Bests

Recent Achievements

In June 2024, Kessler secured his place on the U.S. Olympic team by finishing third in the 1500m (3:31.53) and second in the 800m (1:43.64) at the Olympic Trials. This impressive double qualification made him the first American male athlete to qualify for both events since 1976 (Wikipedia).

Other recent achievements include:

• February 11, 2024: Placed 2nd in the Wanamaker Mile at the Millrose Games (3:48.66)

• March 3, 2024: Won bronze in the 1500m at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow (3:36.72)

Training and Professional Setup

Kessler currently trains under Ron Warhurst in Ann Arbor as part of the Very Nice Track Club.

World Rankings

As of 2024, Hobbs Kessler's world rankings according to World Athletics are: