Sometimes the fiercest rivalries are not just built on the track but also behind the scenes.
This seems to be the case with the ongoing battle between Norwegian middle-distance star Jakob Ingebrigtsen and British rival Josh Ker
Their rivalry, which has been simmering for years, recently took a more personal turn as Ingebrigtsen publicly called out Kerr in the new Amazon Prime docuseries, Ingebrigtsen: Born to Run, which was released on September 20.
In the fourth episode, titled “A Matter of Milliseconds,“ Ingebrigtsen sheds light on the tension between him and Kerr, describing it as anything but media-manufactured.
In fact, Ingebrigtsen claims Kerr himself ignited the feud with trash talk and public comments that painted the Norwegian in a negative light. But what seems to bother Ingebrigtsen most is the Brit’s alleged unwillingness to confront him directly.
“What’s funny is that he’s (Josh Kerr) never said anything to me,” Ingebrigtsen revealed in the episode.
“So, if you smile and say hello politely and then you go to your friend’s podcast and trash-talk, that’s really cowardly.”
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These remarks highlight just how personal the rivalry has become. The two athletes have been competing at the highest level for years, trading victories and defeats.
However, their rivalry took center stage again at the 2024 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, where Kerr edged out Ingebrigtsen by a razor-thin margin of just 0.26 seconds in the Bowerman Mile event. Kerr clocked a time of 3:45.34, while Ingebrigtsen finished at 3:45.60, a loss that Ingebrigtsen likely won’t forget anytime soon.
“The problem with the rivalry is that it’s not created by the media,” Ingebrigtsen added in the documentary.
“It’s only created by that moron because he began trash-talking me. But he’s forgotten that he doesn’t stand for anything he says. That says a lot about someone.”
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Kerr has yet to publicly respond to these claims. However, their rivalry is not just one of words but also of records and achievements.
Ingebrigtsen has had an impressive 2024 season, securing five Diamond League victories in Oslo, Monaco, Lausanne, Silesia, and Brussels.
Notably, he set a world record at the Silesia leg of the Diamond League, clocking 7:17.55 in the 3000m, an achievement that further cemented his status as one of the top middle-distance runners in the world.
Despite his strong season, Ingebrigtsen’s losses to Kerr at key moments in 2024, particularly at the Prefontaine Classic, seem to have added fuel to the fire.
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In Zurich, Ingebrigtsen managed to finish ahead of Kerr, who placed fifth, but the Brit’s ability to consistently challenge the Norwegian has undoubtedly made him a thorn in Ingebrigtsen’s side.
Both athletes are at the peak of their careers, and their rivalry, now laced with personal drama, only adds to the spectacle.
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