Middle-distance supremo Josh Kerr has jumped into contention for the Sports Personality of the Year award after snapping a 27-year-old world record in the London Diamond League on Saturday.England’s Jude Bellingham and defending champion Rory McIlroy will be looking over their shoulder in the market for this prestigious award. This, after Team GB’s Kerr sensationally broke the world record for the fastest mile in history, running 3 minutes, 42.66 seconds at a Diamond League meet in London.Treble your returns + £20 in free betsIt broke the record of 3:43.13 set by Moroccan Hicham El Guerrouj back in 1999.This has catapulted the Brit bang into SPOTY contention at the end of the year, with the European Championships still come later this summer.Latest SPOTY 2026 odds Jude Bellingham – 4/1Matt Weston – 9/2Rory McIlroy – 5/1Josh Kerr – 11/2Harry Kane – 6/1Keely Hodgkinson – 12/1Tommy Fleetwood – 12/1Lewis Hamilton – 12/1BAR – 14/1View the latest full list of SPOTY 2026 contenders and odds HERE*Bellingham is favourite to land the gong for the very first time after his heroics in the World Cup led England to their best finish in 60 years.Albeit it, the Three Lions third-place wasn’t what they came for, the English midfielder, single-handedly, at times dragged England to victory. Becoming their star of this summer’s World Cup.Matt Weston splits, the Real Madrid star and the reigning SPOTY holder, in Rory McIlroy.The champion skeleton racer, is now Great Britain’s most decorated winter Olympian ever. Back in February, Weston became a double Olympic gold medalist in Milan-Cortina, winning both the men’s skeleton and mixed event with team-mate Tabitha Stoecker. His achievements can’t go unnoticed, and currently have him in as second fav in the running.Reigning champ McIlroy deservedly won in 2025, having finally won the Masters and snapping a 11 year pursuit of claiming golf’s Grand Slam (winning all four of the sport’s majors). As well as helping Team Europe retain the Ryder Cup in New York in September.The shackles seemed to come off and he followed up his 2025 victory at Augusta National by defending his crown in April 2026 – going back-to-back at one of the most ruthless golf courses in the game.McIlroy is at 5/1 – but with major season now over, may have missed the chance to reclaim the award.There’s three former winners at the top of the market. Athlete Keely Hodgkinson took the award in 2024, having won 800m gold at the Paris Olympics. This cemented herself as one of the top sports stars in Britain, but having suffered injury this season – her sights may be set on upgrading her two silver World Championship medals to a Gold in Beijing in 2027.Lewis Hamilton is the other past winner, bagging the award in 2014 and again in 2020. The great Formula 1 champion is in a battle for the World Drivers’ Championship for the first time since 2021. If he can claim a record-breaking eight drivers’ title by the end of 2026, he may just take a third SPOTY crown too. Treble your returns + £20 in free bets______________________________________________________________Odds correct at time of publish and subject to change.Remember, a responsible bettor establishes time and monetary limits before playing, only gambles with money they can afford to lose, and never chases their losses. For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.Remember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukFind our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.18+ New Customers only. Opt in, deposit and bet £10+ on any Football market (1/1+ odds) within 7 days of sign up. Get 3 Boost tokens and 2 x £10 Free bets for set Football markets. Rewards expire in 30 days. Click for T&Cs | GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly.