Josh Kerr didn’t get much sleep last night. “There’s no time for that. Glasgow on the weekend, mate, it’s bouncing,” the Scot said with a slight croak in his voice.
The response – 11 hours after his Commonwealth Games mile victory – was entirely in keeping with the way Kerr has conducted himself this week. Embedded with Team Scotland, back home among his own people, and absolutely revelling in it.
Look at his social media. Reels of the 28-year-old running around the streets of the city. In its parks and on its tracks. Pictures of him loosening off under a Kingston Bridge flyover in a hotel car park. Images of him engaging with the crowd.
His crowd, the people who came to see the mile world record holder on Saturday night.
Among them were Kerr’s grandparents and nephews, his first ever coach, and his training partners from when he was 11 or 12.
There were hundreds of awestruck kids, too. Some of them budding athletes themselves. Others who might now want to be. Just like Kerr was when the Games came to Glasgow in 2014, with dreams of emulating those he saw race at Hampden.
That memory was in mind as the Edinburgh athlete slowly worked his way back down the home straight from the podium after his emotional medal ceremony.
It’s why every fan who asked for a selfie got one. Why he signed his name over and over again. Why he gave them his time and his attention. Sure, Kerr was soaking up his moment of glory, but he was giving something back too.
“I’m just trying to create a moment for them,” he told BBC Sport Scotland.
“There is absolutely nothing stopping any of them going out and doing what I’ve just done.
“I believe if you grow up in Scotland, you can be one of the best runners in the history of these distances. I’m not doing anything outrageously special.”
