World Indoor Championships 2026: Josh Kerr’s ‘priority’ is Commonwealth as focus shifts to Poland

Kerr would like to add a Commonwealth gold to his Olympic, World and World Indoor gold medals.

“What else do you want from a season really, every four years, in Scotland in front of a home crowd, going for a gold medal in the mile as well, so that’s why that’s a big priority going into the season,” he explained.

“That’s what I grew up thinking, for me, that’s what my family talked about, that’s what we were like when we got our first Scottish jackets in cross country and on the track and on the road.

“That’s what we always used to discuss when we were sitting on the bus heading to these championships. ‘Who’s going to the Commonwealth Games?’ What are everyone’s goals for the Commonwealth Games?”

He added: “And to know that it is in Scotland, it is very special, so why would I give up this opportunity for something else? When you look at your career, these are the moments where you feel, ‘That was great, that was a big moment’. No matter the result, you have to enjoy it.”

Kerr expects his ambition to be matched by his fellow Scottish runners.

“I haven’t worn a Scotland jumper since the Commonwealth Games in 2022,” he explained. “It’s not something that happens very often.

“I know it’s going to be a priority for Jake Whiteman, I know it’s a priority for Neil Gurley – this is who they are, this is who I am and this is the system we’ve been brought up in, so I think it’s all ingrained in us.”

US-based Kerr’s last major outing ended in disappointment in Japan after he suffered a calf muscle strain that forced him to end the 1,500m final at the World Athletics Championships last September.

Although racing time has been limited since then, Kerr believes he is in good shape for 2026.

He added: “Chatting about aiming for a world indoor title in a few months is a very proud moment for me and my team.”

“To be honest, I’m fitter and fitter than I have been in an indoor season in the past.

He added: “Indoors is a strange time of year for athletes. Some people do it and others don’t. I like to do it naturally but I am very proud of the position I am in.”

“This is about training too, Danny [Mackey] He’s done a great job with the coaching aspect.”