Josh Kerr knows what it means to rewrite history. Just days after smashing a world mile record that had been untouched for 27 years, he returned to the track at Scotstoun to kick off his Commonwealth Games journey. This event holds a special place in the sport's history, particularly because the mile is making a return to the athletics program after six decades. And yet, the 13 athletes who qualified for Saturday’s final have already all dipped below that once-untouchable barrier. Kerr cruised through the slower of the two heats with relative ease, but it was the younger Australian, Cameron Myers, who really turned heads. Just a second behind Kerr’s new 3:42.66 world record, Myers has already been hailed as the future of the sport.
The Commonwealth Games final promises to be anything but a typical race. Kerr, with the home crowd behind him, has been clear in his assessment: “It’s going to be a war out there.” For him, this is more than just another competition. It’s a clash over legacy, a moment where history and the present merge. Kerr, now a world record holder, is determined to prove himself once again—this time in front of his own people. “This is our track, where we grew up racing,” he said. “It's our crowd, and the rest of those guys want to take what's ours. They're going to have to come with something special on Saturday night because they're not going to get it easy.”
Kerr’s journey has been shaped by a steady mindset, but the transition from racing the clock to racing elite athletes is a challenge in itself. “My mindset hasn’t really changed throughout my career,” he explained. “But it is different going from racing the clock to racing these guys because they're some of the best milers in the world. I'm just trying to battle against them and rely on what I'm most proud of, which is my racing tactics.” The mental switch has not been easy, but Kerr is preparing himself for the fight. His homecoming has not been without its emotional weight. After breaking the world record in London, he returned to Scotland to refocus, spending time away from the public eye and reconnecting with what made him who he is today.
Kerr’s Reflections and Regrouping
Breaking a record that had stood for 27 years was no small feat. For Kerr, it was a moment of immense pride, but also one that required time to process. It took a huge amount of work to get there, but I’m glad I was able to lead that charge.” Since then, he has been back home, disconnecting from the noise, keeping his phone off, and spending time with his family. It was about resetting.”
Kerr’s deep ties to his roots are clear. He may train at 6,000 feet above sea level in New Mexico, but his heart remains in the hills of Scotland. “I’ve got to show up for him.” This connection fuels his drive, not just for himself, but for the legacy he wants to leave behind. The race in Scotland is not just about the track, but about the people, the history, and the pride of representing home.
Kerr won’t be the only one fighting for a place on the podium. His teammate, Jake Wightman, a former 1500m world champion, will be there to support, but it's the young Australian, Cameron Myers, who has drawn the most attention. At just 20 years old, Myers has already shown the kind of fearless racing that marks a future star. Wightman, who saw the Australian in action during the heats, is no stranger to his potential. “He beat me two years ago in Australia and I thought, ‘He's going to be good,’
Wightman described how Myers' presence in the heats was both a challenge and a test. We've got two days to recover, which is perfect.” Wightman may be biased, but he knows what's on the line. “If you look at it on paper, it’s going to be the race of the Games,” he said. Every athlete who could be here is here.”
The final promises to be a spectacle like no other. With 13 athletes in the field, all under the four-minute mark, the race is not just a competition but a celebration of the sport’s most elite talent. And thanks to the National Lottery, the event is made possible through the generosity of players, who contribute over £33 million every week to support good causes across the country.