Josh Kerr says Glasgow 2026 will be 'much more of a fun time' after world record

Josh Kerr says Glasgow 2026 will be 'much more of a fun time' after world record Josh Kerr, who is from Edinburgh, had a 'Commonwealth Games hopeful' T-shirt as a teenager. He told of his early career before he races for Scotland at Glasgow 2026. World record holder Josh Kerr was given a "Commonwealth Games hopeful" T-shirt as a teenager. He told the story of his early career as he returns to Scotland to compete in Glasgow 2026, the biggest UK sporting event of the summer. At just 13, Kerr tried different events at the main Games venue, including shot put and high jump. In July 2011, almost 15 years to the day that he will run the Commonwealth Mile, the record books show Kerr ran 4m 30.91 as a 13-year-old. He also threw the shot 7m 34cm and did a 1m 55cm high jump. The Glasgow 2026 gold medal contender cut his teeth racing at tracks around Scotland. And he was no stranger to the Scotstoun Stadium where the Athletics and Para Athletics events will be held from Thursday. Now that young “hopeful” is running 3mins 42.66 for the mile and is keen to win gold in Glasgow and put on a show for his home crowd. Kerr recalled: “I grew up in youth academies for future Commonwealth Games hopefuls, and that will never leave me. "I still have the 'Scottish Commonwealth Games hopeful' T-shirt. It was a bit rough back then but there’s definitely a lot of memories held in it. "So, to be able to go out there and represent my country in front of a home crowd at the Commonwealth Games, that's all I want for my career.” Athletics and Para Athletics events will take place over six days at Scotstoun Stadium from July 27 to August 1, with 59 gold medals up for grabs. The Men’s and Women’s Mile finals are run on August 1 with a small number of tickets remaining in the heats, on 29 July and 30 July. Kerr will spearhead a strong field in the “Commonwealth Mile” alongside fellow Scots Jake Wightman and Neil Gourley. He added: “Now it's time to race the best guys in the Commonwealth. So, I'm not too worried about times right now. "I'm not battling machines and battling personalities, so it'll be a much more of a fun time. "I think that would be one way of capping off a great couple of weeks.” Fans are encouraged not to miss out and get their hands on their tickets, available at glasgow2026.com/tickets.