Great Britain’s Josh Kerr says he is “very happy” to see Jakob Ingebrigtsen back competing – but he is “not going to lose” when they resume their fierce rivalry at this weekend’s World Athletics Ultimate Championship.

Their long-established war of words was recently reignited when Ingebrigtsen criticised Kerr’s decision to miss last month’s European Championships, where the Norwegian marked his return from long-term injury by winning 5,000m gold.

The men’s 1500m at the inaugural Ultimate Championship in Budapest this weekend will have added edge after Ingebrigtsen, 25, labelled his rivals a “bunch of cowards” at last week’s Diamond League Final.

Speaking to the media before the championship, Kerr was reluctant to directly address Ingebrigtsen’s recent comments towards him but admitted their presence would bring “a lot more energy” to the event.

“When you boil it down, I’m very happy that he’s back racing,” said Kerr, 28.

“I think it’s great for our distance.
He’s one of the best 1500m and 5,000m runners of all time.

“I’m not going to lose, but I’m excited to go out there and race.”

Kerr added: “A championship 1500m or 5,000m is very different to what he’s used to right now, coming off a long-term injury.

“So I first foresee some struggling from his side.”

Although interest in their absorbing rivalry has transcended the sport, Kerr and Ingebrigtsen have not gone head-to-head for two years.

In their last meeting, at the Zurich Diamond League in September 2024, Ingebrigtsen placed second and Kerr fifth – one month after the Briton was edged to Olympic gold by American Cole Hocker, and Ingebrigtsen missed out on a medal.

It is around the major championships where one of the sport’s most compelling storylines of recent times has truly developed, both on and off the track.

Their frequent exchange of words has built hype between exhilarating showdowns. Ingebrigtsen won Olympic gold five years ago. Kerr took the world title in 2023. Hocker stole in as they fought to outdo one another in Paris.

Making a winning return after 11 months out with an Achilles issue, Ingebrigtsen said he was “very” disappointed by Kerr’s absence from the Europeans and claimed that athletes who choose to miss major competitions are “ruining” the sport.

Kerr had long made clear those championships were not part of his 2026 plans, focusing instead on smashing the 27-year mile world record in London and winning Commonwealth gold in Glasgow this summer, after reclaiming the world indoor 3,000m title in March.

Kerr’s preferred approach to each season is to identify three or four big dates in an attempt to avoid injuries and inconsistent performances.

“These next three years are going to be some of the biggest in my career. I’m not going to get greedy,” said Kerr, whose world title defence was ended by a calf tear 12 months ago.

“The first question I was asked after running the mile world record is ‘when are you going to go after the 1500m record?’, and it’s just not that simple.

“I’m a human being at the end of the day. I’m not a robot. I think if you want to have a career that’s 10-12 years long then you can’t [race all the time].”

The World Athletics Ultimate Championship will take place at the stadium where Kerr beat Ingebrigtsen to world 1500m gold three years ago.

Because of their limited racing, neither Kerr or Ingebrigtsen qualified for the event and were instead granted exceptional invitations by the sport’s governing body.

On accepting the invitation, Kerr said: “I think having the best athletes – maybe not the best in-form athletes, like with me and [Ingebrigtsen] getting invited – that have shown up on consistent championships, can make the most exciting race.

“I know that the rest of the 1500m squad are wanting to have a go with both of us.
I think it’ll end up being a fantastic race.

“I think we’re bringing a lot more energy to the race by being in it.”

The keenness of their competitors to make a statement will have been sharpened considerably after Ingebrigtsen called his rivals “cowards” and “losers” last week.

The Norwegian, who faded to fourth in the Diamond League Final after attempting to front-run the 1500m, was angry at his rivals – particularly Hocker – for their reluctance to push the pace.

“I think I will run circles around them in not so many months,” Ingebrigtsen told FloTrack.

He later offered something of an apology when he admitted there was “maybe a little too much adrenaline and emotion” involved when he made those comments, but added: “I will always call things as I see it.”