Josh: ‘Clubs have clear ‘proof of concept’ on athletics pathway in Scotland

Tuesday 10th November 2026

Photo via Edinburgh AC and Brooks Running

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Josh Kerr believes his beloved Edinburgh AC – and clubs across the country – have given clear ‘proof of concept’ on the athletics pathway in Scotland.

The three-times World champion and mile World Record holder was back at Meadowbank last weekend on a flying visit home.

Josh is passionate about grassroots athletics and feels the connection between our clubs and our elite is strong in Scotland.

He also took time in conversation with scottishathletics to pay warm tribute to Dave Campbell, a key figure in his early career with Edinburgh AC who sadly passed away in October.

‘It is massively important for me to come back to the club when I can,’ said Josh, at an event organised by the club and Brooks Running.

‘Growing up, I was able to be surrounded by a lot of fantastic sport figures.

‘Within my own training group and within the club, within Scotland and in the UK, there were role models and so when you look at the kind of set-up I had, well, it worked.

‘There was a focus on maintaining a belief that I had in myself and my own ability and that helped keep me in the sport.

‘One of my current goals is to try and bridge that gap between the top end of the sport and where the club runners are working away and developing.

‘I would say some of my early years were the hardest parts of my career, and trying to keep hold of that belief to know that you can get to the next stage.

‘So, as much as possible, my hope is to come back and speak to them and be a focal point for them (Edinburgh AC) to tell young athletes that if this is something they want to do long term, then they have all the resources possible for trying to be the best in the world at something.’

That covers off rather well ‘pathway’ by which we mean everyone in athletics in Scotland having a role to play in what might be also be called performance development.

‘Coaches and volunteers at clubs have a massive part to play,’ stressed Josh.

‘It is over-looked sometimes, and I think from the elite side, I think it’s one of those where you don’t necessarily know what kind of life you’re changing.

‘Some of the athletes you are inspiring and the legacy that you can leave could be here at Meadowbank today.

Photo via Edinburgh AC and Brooks Running

‘There is obviously a lot more proof of concept with Edinburgh AC in general and Scottish athletics in general of a development pathway. We can say the kids coming through might be the next World champion or World Record holder.

‘I look back and think growing up what was so important to me was that the coaches took time and understood where I was as a person and as an athlete.

‘And I think Scottish coaches and clubs now have that proof of concept and realise that they are affecting the lives of these young kids that want to be in the sport.

‘Of course, it is not always about being the best in the world. It’s about being the best that you can be and achieving the goals that you’re setting out.

‘Coaching is a vital role if we are to continue the great legacy of Scottish athletes.’

Josh celebrates World Record run in London (photo for British Athletics via Getty Images)

The late Dave Campbell was one of those coaches; influencing the careers of Josh, triple European medallist Chris O’Hare and many others at EAC.

‘I moved to train with Dave when I was, I think, 12 or 13 years old, and so I was with Dave for for many years.

‘And I owe him a lot because it’s the first time that I kind of moved into that training-four-times-a-week ‘professional’ set-up. Sometimes training was men versus boys!

‘Dave held my hand through that process and and kept me in the sport when things got tough, and really cared and coached me as as personally as he could. He actually brought me into his family, met his wife Joan and I think there’s such a legacy that he leaves behind here at Edinburgh AC.

‘I’m very proud to be a Dave Campbell athlete.

‘We’re going to miss him very dearly, and you know I was able to stay in contact with him as much as possible, and he was able to watch my World Record.

‘So I feel like we had we had those moments from the start all the way through to the to the peak of my career and I would repeat: ‘I’m very proud to be a Dave Campbell athlete’