Josh Kerr is aiming for Commonwealth Games success on home soil as he prepares to compete in the men’s mile final at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. The world mile record holder enters the race as the favorite but anticipates a strong challenge from fellow Scotsman Jake Wightman, whom Kerr regards as a serious contender.
The final, taking place tonight at Scotstoun Stadium, features a high-caliber field that includes Australia’s defending 1500m champion Ollie Hoare and rising talent Cameron Myers. Kerr acknowledged the depth of competition, emphasizing the competitive spirit among the athletes: “Jake is in awesome shape and he’s the kind of athlete who turns up in big championship races. The top guys all think they can win it. That’s what makes this so exciting.”
Kerr’s connection to Glasgow is deeply personal. It was exactly 15 years ago that he competed there as a 13-year-old at the junior Scottish Championships, finishing fifth while also setting his personal bests in the shot put and high jump. Reflecting on the changes to the venue, Kerr noted that he barely recognized Scotstoun, describing how the stadium now has a polished, “Hollywood” appearance, although the familiar wind remains.
Since breaking the world mile record in the Diamond League, Kerr has been spending much of the year training at altitude in New Mexico. Recently, he returned to Edinburgh, where he has been sharing his hometown with his wife, Larimar Rodriguez, who is a doctor. Kerr spoke about the importance of balancing intensity with relaxation during his time back home: “I’ve been showing her some of the places I trained and going on runs with her. It’s been about resetting and not being too intense. Just being here reminded me of my roots and of how proud the younger version of myself would be.”
Kerr also expressed the significance of competing at the Commonwealth Games after so many years, recalling the early days of his athletic journey: “Fifteen years ago I was a kid in a ‘Commonwealth Games hopeful’ T-shirt, and now I’ve got this amazing opportunity to do something special.”
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games are supported in part by funding from National Lottery players, which raises over £33 million weekly for a range of community, sport, arts, and heritage initiatives across the United Kingdom. This funding plays a crucial role in supporting athletes like Kerr as they compete on an international stage.