Athletics Weekly contributor Alex Mills was among press to take to the track and go for glory in Glasgow

After analysing the performances and achievements of the best in the Commonwealth it was time for the journalists to take to the track in a media mile at Hampden Park on Wednesday.

Abilities ranged from those who run only for the media shuttle bus to people who would consider themselves good club runners (a category in which I see myself). A couple of odd kit preferences did nothing to decrease the high enthusiasm towards a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to run in a venue which will soon return to its footballing roots almost as quickly as it left it.

Following a decision to divide the 65 entered runners (of which AW editor Jason Henderson was initially included until a last minute withdrawal caused by a fear of the electric Hampden roar or a supposed injury, depending on who you ask) into three separate races based on the runners’ predicted times the action got underway with the ‘fast guys up first.

Waiting for the gun to be blasted by two-time Commonwealth sprint relay gold medallist Darren Campbell the tension was clear, as doubts started to grow after suggestions that I must good if I was willing to wear my home club bib.

Pushed on by the excellent timing of Glasgow 2014′s Sophie Ashcroft, I sensed my chance to go sub-5. Kicking towards the finish, I got a small sense of how Laura Weightman might have felt the night before, minus the pressure. I was not going to miss out from here! My finishing time of 5:04 was frustrating though my end position was not. After four and a bit laps of the Hampden Park track I had earned my very own Clyde the mascot and the crown of Commonwealth Games Media Mile Champion!

Let s hope my success kicks off a gold rush for the home nations! (Greg Rutherford later won long jump gold. Just saying… – Editor).

Next up for me is a title at the Beijing World Championships before I head to the Gold Coast to successfully defend my title, or at least that s what I m telling myself!

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