World mile record-holder Josh Kerr and his Norwegian rival Jakob Ingebrigtsen are gearing up for a highly anticipated 1500m race at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest this September, following their exceptional invitations.

The last encounter between Kerr and Ingebrigtsen over 1500m took place in September 2024 in Zurich. Ingebrigtsen, recently back from an 11-month layoff, showcased his prowess by winning the 5,000m at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, where he notably called out Kerr for his absence.

Kerr expressed his determination, stating, “I’ve made some choices this season that have created plenty of noise, but I’ve always wanted to prove myself in the biggest races, against the best in the world. Budapest gives me another opportunity to do that, and I’m coming to compete for the win.”

They will face a formidable field that includes:

• Cole Hocker, the reigning Olympic champion who previously stunned both Kerr and Ingebrigtsen at Paris 2024.
• Isaac Nader, who clinched gold at the World Championships last year.

A statement from World Athletics emphasized the significance of including both athletes, noting that the race could not be deemed a full lineup of the greatest athletes without them. Additionally, Gianmarco Tamberi, a world and Olympic gold medallist, has been confirmed for the men's high jump, adding further excitement to the championship.