Glasgow 2026: New world record holder Josh Kerr vows to thrill Commonwealth Games
Scotland’s Josh Kerr says he is determined to carry his record-breaking form into the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games after setting a new men’s mile world record at the London Diamond League.
The Olympic silver medallist produced one of the finest performances of his career on Saturday, breaking a 27-year-old world record by running 3 minutes 42.63 seconds, half a second quicker than the previous mark.
Kerr eclipsed the record of Morocco’s Hicham El Guerrouj, whose time of 3:43.13 had stood since 1999.
The former world champion will now turn his attention to the Commonwealth Games, where the mile returns to the programme, and said he was eager to compete in front of a home crowd in Glasgow.
“I feel great right now, lots of adrenaline in the system and I will be out in Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games, for sure,” Kerr said.
“Every season has to have a peak, and I hope to continue this for another couple of weeks and ride that momentum.”
Athletics and para athletics at Glasgow 2026 will take place at the newly resurfaced track at EDF Scotstoun Stadium from 27 July to 1 August, with 43 athletics and 16 para athletics gold medals to be contested.
The men’s and women’s mile finals are scheduled for 1 August, while the qualifying races will be held on 29 and 30 July.
Kerr said delivering performances on the biggest stages remained his priority.
“If I am to leave my mark on this sport I have to do those performances. I put the work in. I am good at circling the day to perform and doing my job,” he said.
The Scot will be joined in the men’s mile by fellow Scottish athletes Jake Wightman and Neil Gourley.
Reflecting on Britain’s strength in the event, Kerr said he hoped his latest achievement would inspire the next generation.
“I want to continue to bring the mile back to the UK. We have some great milers in the UK. We have Jake Wightman, we have Neil Gourley and incredible people that are putting together incredible things.
“I’m going to be here in the UK for a couple weeks, getting ready for the Commonwealth Games and I’m going to take it day by day, but I want to share that story with as many people as I can because I had performances like that to look up to.”
Elsewhere, Nigeria’s Kayinsola Ajayi will arrive in Glasgow in impressive form after winning the men’s 100m in London in 9.84 seconds.
Australia’s Nicola Olyslagers also heads to the Games with confidence after clearing 2.01m to win the women’s high jump at the Diamond League meeting.
Among the leading Scottish athletes expected to compete are Eilish McColgan, Laura Muir, Jemma Reekie and Paralympic champions Ben Sandilands, Owen Miller and Steven Stone.