Final chance: Neil eases through at World Indoors in 1500m medal bid

Friday 21st March 2025

Neil Gourley will race in the World Indoors final in China on Sunday.

The GB and NI team captain looked impressive to win Friday’s heat one of the Men’s 1500m in Nanjing.

So now the Giffnock North AC athlete will have a global medal opportunity in the final with fabled Norwegian, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, looking favourite for another gold.

Neil clocked 3:36.60 for victory after initially staying at the back of the heat one field before then moving up with three laps remaining and controlling the race from the front.

‘I think I was more nervous about my speech as British team captain than the actual race here,’ smiled Neil, who won the UK Indoors title and was fourth in the Europeans in Apeldoorn a couple of weeks ago.

‘I’m happy with the way I executed tonight. It was always in the plan to go to the back and wait for the race to unfold and when it felt like the pace was slowing down a little bit to just move.

‘As soon as that happened, I did and was able to take control and wind it up the last three laps and I’m quite happy with the way I wound up.

‘Seems like people weren’t hanging on going into the last hundred so I am happy with the way I was able to control it.’

Sunday’s final is live on BBC Two at 12.15pm (our time).