‘Grangemouth made me the athlete I am now’ – World Champ Josh Kerr

Tuesday 12th March 2024

Josh Kerr celebrates World Indoors gold in the Men’s 3000m (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Grangemouth: We’ve asked consultants to look at costs

Double World champion Josh Kerr believes he owes his career at the very top of global athletics to grassroots facilities like Grangemouth Stadium.

The America-based Scot won gold in the Men’s 1500m at the World Champs in Budapest last summer with a stunning success over Norwegian superstar Jakob Ingebrigtsen in Hungary.

Josh followed that up earlier this year with World Best for Two Miles and 3000m gold at the World Indoors in front of frenzied home crowed at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena.

But the Edinburgh AC hero is concerned about the future of the athletics pathway in Scotland with key venue Grangemouth under threat of closure by owners Falkirk Council.

scottishathletics have commissioned consultants to look at rescue package options with Grangemouth effectively the national stadium for track and field over the past two decades. It is also a key venue for clubs, training, and education for coaches and Officials.

‘It is really sad to hear about the threat to the future of Grangemouth,’ said Josh, who raced there many times in his early and mid teens before heading to the University of New Mexico.

‘When I look back on the early stages of my career then I know I would not have had the development I did without Grangemouth as a venue for events.

‘Any facility closing in Scotland – or potentially closing in Scotland – is a massive problem and issue for our sport.’

Saturday night fever and why Josh always waves flag for Scotland

Top Scottish stars like Josh, Laura Muir, Eilish McColgan, Jemma Reekie and Jake Wightman all consider their careers were ‘forged’ at venues like Grangemouth and are passionate about the grassroots of the sport in Scotland.

‘We are trying our hardest at our (elite) end of things to inspire and motivate and show people the pathway,’ added Josh.

‘A big motivation for us is trying to get people down to their local track.

‘To close those kind of venues down is not a spot we want to be in at the moment.

‘So I’m sad to hear that and anything we can do to raise the profile of the discussion is important.

‘I think it is massive for athletics in Scotland so let’s see if we can raise the argument and the money need to keep Grangemouth open both for clubs and athletes to train and also for a whole range of championship, age group and league or local events.’