Josh Kerr's dual identity fuels Brooks Beasts after 3:42.66

Josh Kerr’s world-record season has revealed two distinct sides of the Scottish middle-distance star: an intense competitor who pursues targets without compromise and a relaxed teammate away from the track. That contrast has also shaped the Brooks Beasts group in Albuquerque, where Kerr has become an example of high performance for those around him.

Julian Florez, an assistant coach with the professional team, has seen both versions at close range. Kerr can be approachable and playful in daily life, but his manner changes when training begins or he steps to the start line. Sunglasses, a race target and the demands of competition signal the sharper persona that has become familiar to athletics fans.

The difference is so clear that Florez’s two-year-old daughter recognises it. She calls him Josh when he is at home, but uses his full name when she sees him practising or racing on television. After Kerr won the Commonwealth mile title in Glasgow, he quickly returned to his more informal self, spending time signing autographs and taking photographs with young supporters.

That victory followed his 3:42.66 mile in London, where he delivered the world record he had publicly targeted. Kerr then stood on the podium in Glasgow as Flower of Scotland played, visibly emotional after securing a title that carried particular importance for him. He did not enter the European Championships in Birmingham, and the possibility of pursuing Hicham El Guerrouj’s 1500m world record of 3:26.00 was set aside while he gave his body and mind time to recover.

Florez has been part of Kerr’s progression since the Scot arrived in the United States as a 17-year-old with his parents to complete his University of New Mexico move. His responsibilities with Brooks Beasts range from pacing and video work to social media and cutting hair, while he also supports head coach Danny Mackey. He has watched Kerr grow from a newcomer into one of the team’s leaders.

The turning point came during the 2017 indoor season, when Kerr defeated heavily favoured Edward Cheserek to win an NCAA title. Kerr later reached the top of the sport by taking the 1500m world championship in Budapest in 2023. He is due to return to that venue for World Athletics’ inaugural Ultimate Championships, where he will renew his rivalry with Jakob Ingebrigsten as a wild card entry.