Josh Kerr (coach: Danny Mackey, club: Edinburgh AC), the Olympic bronze medallist, will race in the men’s 1500m at the World Indoor Tour Final at the Utilita Arena, Birmingham on Saturday 25 February.

The Scottish athlete won 1500m bronze in Tokyo at the 2020 Olympic Games and last summer he finished in fifth position in the World Athletics Championships final.

The 25-year-old is the British indoor record holder for 1500m (3:32.86) and the mile (3:48.87), both marks set in 2022, and he also broke the Scottish indoor record for 3000m last weekend at the Millrose Games. His time of 7:33.47 was also the fourth fastest time in history – indoors or outdoors – by a Briton.

Kerr – who last competed at the Utilita Arena at the Grand Prix in 2019 when he finished fourth in the 1500m – will test himself against in-form British athletes Neil Gourley (Ben Thomas, Giffnock North) and George Mills (Brighton Phoenix) who have started the 2023 season in impressive form.

Gourley became only the eighth British man in history to run under 3:50 for the mile as he clocked a time of 3:49.46 at the Millrose Games – incorporating the World Indoor Tour Gold meeting – last week. While Mills has also been in good form as he improved his indoor 1500m lifetime best in Karlsruhe last month to 3:35.88. 2022 UK Indoor champion Piers Copeland (Bob Smith, Pontypridd) is also in the field.

On racing in Birmingham, Josh Kerr said, “It will be great to race in front of a home crowd in Birmingham at the World Indoor Tour Final. I had a very good start to the season over 3000m, so I am excited to test myself over 1500m against a strong field of athletes.

“I have raced indoors in Birmingham once before and it was a great atmosphere to be involved in, so I am really looking forward to experiencing that again. The reception for the British athletes is always brilliant, so it will be fantastic to have that support at the World Indoor Tour Final.”

Limited tickets available – don’t miss out! Prices start from just £25 for adults, £20 for seniors/students and only £10 for juniors.