Newyddion

29/07/2026 00:00, I Mewn Blog / Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games - Latest News /

Jake Heyward looked impressive as he cruised into the final of the men’s mile at the start of a busy third day of action for Welsh athletes at Scotstoun Stadium.

The Welshman was in a buoyant mood after comfortably securing his place in Saturday night’s final of the blue ribband event.

Also in action during the morning session was Abi Pawlett, who unfortunately was unable to progress in the women’s 200m as she continues her return from injury.

Heyward was taking part in the historic return of the mile to the Commonwealth Games.

The distance has a rich history at the games including the “Miracle Mile” at the 1954 Vancouver games, which saw Sir Roger Bannister, of England, beat John Landy in a classic final

After an absence of 60 years, the mile was back at the Commonwealths, and Heyward was hoping to write his own chapter in the race’s glittering history.

The Cardiff Athletics man’s story this year was already an impressive one having made a spectacular comeback after four years out due to injury.

Most recently, the 27-year-old obliterated his own Welsh mile record in the same London Diamond League meeting race where Scotland’s Josh Kerr broke the world record.

Running in Wednesday morning’s second semi-final, Heyward appeared to be slightly boxed in close to the kerb half way through the first lap.

But the Welshman soon made a move to the outside towards the end of the first 400m to ease into fourth place.

By the end of the second lap, the European 1500m silver medallist was nicely placed in third, just ahead of former World Champion Jake Wightman, of Scotland.

As the bell announcing the start of the final lap rang out, Heyward had moved up into second behind hugely promising young Australian Cameron Myers.

With the fast paced race starting to stretch out, Heyward comfortably kept his place amongst the leaders and eased over the line in third place, even having enough time to glance around and check he was safely amongst the top six qualifiers.

Myers won the race in 3:53.85 with Wightman second in 3:54.05 and Heyward a comfortable qualifier in 3:54.18.

Heat one had seen Kerr predictably cruise to victory in a slower race, clocking 3:58.57 ahead of former 1500m World Champion Timothy Cheruiyot, of Kenya.

After the race, a clearly satisfied Heyward, who finished fifth in the 1500m final at the Birmingham games said:

“It felt super easy. I couldn’t be happier with it to be honest.

“Smooth qualification, that’s all that matters. Through to the next round where the race actually matters. Get home, get recovered and looking forward to the big final on Saturday.

“I’m coming in (to the final) in a really nice position actually because obviously you’ve got Josh who just broke the world record, so all eyes are gonna be on him. A couple of the other guys have been running well on the circuit.

“I ran well in London and I’m the fittest I’ve ever been. I’m super confident in my ability in a fast race and a slow race. I think I’m coming in under the radar and I think that’s a good position to be in.”

On the prospect of possibly improving his Welsh record again in the final. Heyward said:

“If it’s a fast race, I’m ready to break that record again and championships is where I come alive. That’s what I look forward to.

“You’re going to get the best performance from me in the championship final. I couldn’t be more excited.”

The final, which is one of the most eagerly awaited of the entire championships will be on Saturday night at 20:50.

On a day which would see a total of eight Welsh athletes in action across the two sessions, Pawlett was the first of the contingent to take to the track in the morning session.

As the multi-eventer lined up for the individual 200m heats, the women’s heptathlon competitors were taking part in the long jump just a few metres away.

Had Pawlett not been forced to withdraw from the heptathlon as she recovers from an Achillies injury, she would surely have been in medal contention.

However, on Wednesday morning, all her focus was on trying to secure a place in Thursday evening’s 200m semi-finals.

Drawn in lane six of a tough heat which featured the dangerous Beyonce Defreitas, of the British Virgin Isles and home athlete Alyson Bell, Pawlett made an understandably cautious looking start given her recent injury problems.

The 23-year-old was soon into her stride, but despite her best efforts wasn’t able to challenge at the front of the field as she finished fifth.

Pawlett’s time of 24.60 unfortunately wasn’t enough to see her progress to the semi-finals.

Afterwards, Pawlett said:

“Not my best race and probably a reflection of where I’m at. I’ve been really injured this year and it was a real race against the clock to make the start line.

“So yeah, I don’t really know what I expected, maybe a little bit better than that, but I just didn’t want to push my body. It’s been pretty fragile recently.

“To wear the red vest, I couldn’t be prouder, so that’s the highlight of it all really.”

RESULTS

Photo Credit: Team Wales