Commonwealth Games 2026: Historic first athletics medal for Isle of Man

The Isle of Man landed a first athletics Commonwealth Games medal after 68 years of trying at a rain-lashed Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow on Tuesday evening.

David Mullarkey etched his name into the annals of Manx sport with a measured and determined run to claim bronze in the men’s 10,000 metres.

In doing so, the 26 year old joined a illustrious list of Manx Commonwealth Games medal winners which, with his success, now totals 13.

Indeed, it was the island’s first medal at the Games since clay shooter Tim Kneale won silver in the men’s double trap in 2018.

In torrential rain, which the islanders later quipped was ‘typically Manx’, Mullarkey produced a top-class performance to finish the 25-lap race in third behind runner-up Gulveer Singh of India and winner Ky Robinson of Australia.

Mullarkey was in contention for much of the race taking to the head of the pack with nine laps to go of the sodden track in north west Glasgow.

Indeed the race’s main protagonists were together until the final 200 metres or so when a sprint finish ensued which Robinson took from Singh, with Mullarkey edging Kenya’s Edwin Kurgat for the final podium spot in a time of 27 minutes 50.28 seconds.

Speaking afterwards, Mullarkey said the significance of the moment hadn’t been lost on him: ‘It's good to put the Isle of Man on the map, especially in the 10,000 metres.

‘We were up against some of the most competitive nations in the world in this event with Kenya and Uganda taking part, so to put the Isle of Man on the medal table this year and claim a first athletics medal in history is a great feeling.’

Mullarkey was joined in the race by fellow Manxman Ollie Lockley, the Isle of Man Athletics development officer returning to the track after finishing 14th in the marathon four years ago in Birmingham.

Mullarkey added it was great to be able to take to the startline with his good friend who would ultimately finish 14th in a new personal best time of 29 minutes 12.91 seconds.

Speaking about his team-mate, the former Castle Rushen student said: ‘Me and Ollie go way back.

‘We've been competing against each other and running with each other for years. So to have a friend on that start line, not just someone from my home nation, is a great experience. He made it a better experience all round.’

Mullarkey added the pair had been looking forward to racing in the extremely wet conditions: ‘I was speaking to Ollie before, and I was like: “This doesn't feel any different to do a regular Tuesday night on the Isle of Man! So yeah, it’s fair to say we felt at home out there.’

Speaking about the strategy of the race, Mullarkey continued: ‘I think it was a little bit surgy, and we saw that with the women's race last night as well.

‘It was very up and down with the pace. You go through waves in a 10,000 metres race, no matter how it's run, where you feel good, then you feel worse.

‘Luckily, my my best spell came in that last mile.

‘I felt great with a lap to go and moved into a good position and was able to execute that final 200.’

Mullarkey has another chance to bag a second medal later in the week when he contests the 5,000 metres final on Saturday evening.

The Manxman, who finished 12th in the corresponding race four years ago, said he hopes to continue his good form into the weekend: ‘I’ve got to rest up and recover, but the mentality stays the same as I get ready to compete against the best in the world and keep doing what I've been doing.’

Mullarkey, who is now based in Flagstaff in Arizona, has been in impressive form all season, something that hasn’t gone unnoticed by Great Britain selectors. Earlier in the day it was confirmed he will represent GB at the forthcoming European Athletics Championship in Birmingham in the 5,000 metres race.

It will be the second time the British champion has represented GB at the meet having made his debut last year, finishing eighth in Madrid.