Miracle Mile! Josh thrills Scotland with last lap surge to claim Commonwealth gold

Saturday 1st August 2026

Photo by Bobby Gavin

First Josh Kerr conquered the World Record, then he owned the Commonwealth Mile.

The three times global champion added another title to his name with a stunning last lap at Scotstoun.

Jake Wightman chased him for part of that closing spell but faded on the home straight to end hopes of Team Scotland medal double.

Josh won it in 3:54.12 from Australia’s Cam Myers (3:55.26) and Kenyan Timothy Cheruiyot (3:55.41).

But with the imperious Scot even having time to wave to the crowd over the last few metres he duly won the Commonwealth Mile by a proverbial mile (over a second !!).

It was messy for three laps – very messy in fact – before Josh took the lead just after the bell. On the back straight he stretched his lead with Jake following hard on his heels.

For a certain generation of athletics fans in Scotland, two medals in the one race at Edinburgh 1970 remains unforgettable.

Ian Stewart and Ian McCafferty led home a Scottish 1-2 in the Men’s 5000m on the first staging of the Commonwealth Games on there shores.

But hopes of a repeat evaporated with it later revealed Jake had a leg injury issue which two weeks ago almost ruled him out. Jake duly finished in sixth place.

Myers, a big hope for those watching Down Under, had to settle for silver.

Truthfully, it felt like a rare occasion this week when an Australian was pushed back into second place. Even after the Men’s Mile, the Aussies went 1-2-3 in the Women’s race over that distance and won the men’s pole vault with a Games Record.

What a fortnight from Josh who put down a World Record in London and then headed north to win Commonwealth gold after a less than happy experience at the Games in Birmingham four years ago.

Josh’s gold took the Team Scotland medal tally to seven.

‘This is absolutely incredible to do it in front of a Scottish crowd,’ he told TNT Sports.

‘I grew up learning to race here. I appreciate the support I have had here in Scotland.

‘I am kind of exhausted right now but it means a lot to have added this title to recent achievements.’

Photos by Bobby Gavin

The Women’s Mile was the last event of the Games at Scotstoun.

Two Scots lined up in the 12-strong field and Jemma Reekie and Sarah Calvert were there after progressing from the heats.

Sarah was in the hunt as a slow race began to kick-start at the bell. The Livingston AC athlete was momentarily caught in an Australian sandwich and edged back to fourth.

Sarah duly finished seventh in 4:40.90. The Australians? They went 1-2-3 with Abbey Caldwell taking gold in the final curtain of a week when those in yellow and green have often dominated on the blue Scotstoun track.

Jemma was 10th in 4:42.93.

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Tags: Glasgow 2026, Josh Kerr, Team Scotland