Kerr goes from world record to Commonwealth gold

World-record holder Josh Kerr ensured the Athletics and Para Athletics programme at Glasgow 2026 finished on a high with gold in the Men’s Mile at the Commonwealth Games on Saturday.

Kerr was the favourite for the event, making its first appearance at a Commonwealth Games since Kingston 1966 as a tribute to Roger Bannister's 'Miracle Mile' run at the 1954 Vancouver Games.

The 28-year-old, who set a world record over the distance last month at the London Diamond League meeting, gave the packed crowd at EDF Scotstoun Stadium some anxious moments when he seemed to be boxed in amid bumping and barging, before coming through on the outside into third place at the bell.

Once he swept past Kenya's Timothy Cheruiyot and Australia's Cameron Myers on the back straight of the final lap, there was only going to be one winner. Myers finished second and the Kenyan third.

Australia won golds in the final two events to ensure they finished top of the Athletics medal table with 34 medals – 12 gold and 11 each of silver and bronze.

Abbey Caldwell led a clean sweep in the Women’s Mile ahead of teammates Jessica Hull and Claudia Hollingsworth, while Kurtis Marschall set a new Games record to take his third consecutive Men’s Pole Vault title.

Jamaica's Dejanea Oakley joined Woods and Rose Davies (AUS) as a double gold medallist, following up her Women's 400m win by anchoring her nation's victorious Mixed 4x400m Relay team.

On the African front, there were plenty of medals on the final day of athletics, with Nigeria's Samuel Ogazi and SA's Zakithi Nene taking gold and bronze in the men's 400m final.

AFRICAN ATHLETICS MEDALS ON SATURDAY:

Men's Shot Put F57 Final

Bronze: Cedric Idriss LEKEZO AZAMDZI, Cameroon

Men's 400m final

Gold: Samuel OGAZI, Nigeria

Brone: Zakithi NENE, South Africa

Women's 400m Final

Bronze: Ella ONOJUVWEVWO, Nigeria

Men's Pole Vault Final

Silver: Kyle RADEMEYER, South Africa

Women's Long Jump Final

Silver: Ruth USORO, Nigeria