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].”