Editor’s Note: Josh Kerr is the man of the summer. He announces a mile WR and does it, four months to the day, with his 3:42.66. Then, he focuses on the Commonwealth Games mile. His WR speed and his confidence overcame the competition, and Josh takes the mile, making the CG even more exciting in 2026. It is all about the mile. Here’s Stuart Weir’s story on the Men’s Mile in Glasgow!
The men’s mile
The decision to replace the traditional 1500m with the mile was made to honor historical tradition, cultural significance, and the distance’s accessibility. 1500m was introduced to the Commonwealth Games in 1970. From 1930 to 1966, the mile (1,609 meters) was the premier middle-distance event at the Games, producing legendary races such as the 1954 “Miracle Mile” in Vancouver, where Roger Bannister and John Landy both ran under four minutes, capturing global attention.
Pragmatically, miles are still used in the UK, meaning that spectators instantly understand the distance of the mile. I imagine the organizers could not believe their luck when Josh Kerr set a new world record of 3:42.66 for the distance at the London Diamond League last month. With Jake Wightman in the race too, that was two Scottish World Champions at 1500m.
The result was:
1 Josh Kerr (Scotland) 3:54.12
2 Cameron Myers (Australia) 3:55.26
3 Timothy Cheruiyot (Kenya) 3:55.41
Jake Wightman was sixth in 3:56.28
The race started with no one wanting to take it out. Wightman and Kerr were very visible, with Wightman generally ahead. With 300 to go – I suppose I mean yards, not meters – Kerr made his move and took the lead. Wightman was the first to follow him but was never catching him. As Wightman faded, others passed him, but there was only ever going to be one winner. Perhaps that extra 109 meters that Jake had talked about beforehand had caught up with him.
Jake Wightman, gracious as ever, said afterward: “Not the run that I’m really expecting. I thought it was a good opportunity to try and compete for the win and try and get a medal, and I couldn’t do that. So it’s pretty disappointing, but good to see Josh get it in front of a home crowd, giving him a good reception. I had 10 days of disrupted training and running, but I hoped it wouldn’t have been an issue. I don’t know if it was or whether I just overcommitted when it was a bit argy-bargy. It was teed up perfectly for me. So that’s what was just most frustrating, not to be able to capitalize on it today. This was the one that really mattered so it’s a shame not to be able to do more today.”
Josh Kerr’s account of the race:
“It was fantastic. I think that’s what pure racing is. We were able to go out there and not run super slow. Obviously slow through 800 and 1200, but able to kick it down to a little bit more of a respectable time. I’m here to do that and win gold medals, whatever that looks like—whether it’s to go out and time trial 3:42 or battle through the chaos; I really enjoyed it. It was fantastic.
For the opening laps, I took a couple of steps in and stayed on the rail. I had some fantastic runners outside me, so that box was always going to open up once everything started to move a little bit. It was just about staying patient, not panicking, and knowing there was going to be space there over the last 200. I just had to take my time and work my way through the box a little bit. That’s racing.
Early on for me it was just staying contained. I was on the rail, so making sure I kept my wits about me. Obviously it’s argy-bargy a little bit, but as soon as I started moving, it was easier to let the crowd in, get emotional with it, and start pressing with 300 to go. I had a lot of energy left, so it was time to start pressing.
A lot of hard work goes into those performances, and to be able to have a bit of time to enjoy it in the last 100 – [ a quick wave to the crowd] – is a memorable experience for me. To be able to do that in front of a home crowd is everything I want to do. It’s been a great two weeks, and I’m glad I’m able to perform on the big days.
I went out to prove that the mile is British a couple of weeks ago, so I can’t lose the first one back, can I? Obviously there was a bit of pressure on my shoulders, but that’s what I enjoy.
I put the pressure on myself. It’s not like anyone else is putting that on me. I believe this country is all about milling. I think we can do it really well. I think we have a future in it, and it’s nice that it’s home. I want to inspire the next generation to come out and perform in the UK. I said that a couple of years ago; I put in the hard work, and it was time to come home and perform.
Hearing Flower of Scotland on the podium was very special. Obviously, back in Glasgow 2024 (World Indoors), I got the GB national anthem, and that was very, very special. But to have, in front of a Glaswegian crowd, the Scottish national anthem is something that I’ll never forget and never take for granted.”
