Edinburgh AC marked Josh Kerr and Jake Wightman ahead of the Men's One Mile Final at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, highlighting two of the club's most successful alumni before they stepped onto the track at Meadowbank Athletics Track.
The event underlined how much the Scottish club has benefited from National Lottery support over the years, with Edinburgh AC saying both athletes were supported by National Lottery funding throughout their careers. The club also said it is one of many Scottish athletics clubs to have benefited from National Lottery investment.
Kerr's record adds to the occasion
The celebration came after Kerr broke the mile world record in London earlier in July with a time of 3 minutes, 42.66 seconds. The previous record had stood since 1999, when Hicham El Guerrouj set the mark.
For Edinburgh AC, the timing made the moment even more meaningful. Lee McConnell said the occasion was a direct result of National Lottery investment, adding that the funding supports not only elite athletes but also the clubs, coaches and facilities that help young athletes progress through the sport.
Eric Fisher said seeing Kerr and Wightman line up for a Commonwealth Games mile final together was something he could only have dreamed of when they were first training with him. He said Edinburgh AC gave them the foundations and praised the ongoing National Lottery support that helps clubs like his give the next generation the same opportunity.
Pride at Meadowbank
Yvonne Jones said it was a huge source of pride for everyone at Edinburgh AC to have seven athletes competing at the Commonwealth Games, including Kerr and Wightman. She also said the facilities and coaching at Meadowbank have been strengthened by National Lottery support, thanking the people who play for helping athletes at every level.
That wider theme was central to the club's message: the success of Kerr and Wightman is not just about individual talent, but also about the support structure around them. Edinburgh AC used the event to show how club coaching, improved facilities and long-term investment can help athletes move from local training sessions to major international finals.
For Kerr, a 27-year-old whose record run in London quickly became one of the standout performances of the summer, the Glasgow final offered another stage to build on that momentum. For Edinburgh AC, it was a chance to celebrate two athletes who have helped put the club on the map while pointing to the next generation coming through behind them.
