Kerr (pictured) was the favourite for the event, making its first appearance at a Commonwealth Games since Kingston 1966 as a tribute to Roger Bannister's 'Miracle Mile' run at the 1954 Vancouver Games.

The 28-year-old, who set a world record over the distance last month at the London Diamond League meeting, gave the packed crowd at EDF Scotstoun Stadium some anxious moments when he seemed to be boxed in amid bumping and barging, before coming through on the outside into third place at the bell.

Once he swept past Kenya's Timothy Cheruiyot and Australia's Cameron Myers on the back straight of the final lap, there was only going to be one winner. Myers finished second and the Kenyan third.

"I had some fantastic runners outside me, so that box was always going to open up once everything started to move a little bit," Kerr said.

"It was just about staying patient, not panicking, and knowing there was going to be space there over the last 200 (metres). I just had to take my time and work my way through the box a little bit. That's racing."

Kerr took time to appreciate the magnitude of the race in the final moments. "To have a bit of time to enjoy it in the last 100 (metres) is a memorable experience for me. To do that in front of a home crowd is everything I want to do. It's been a great two weeks, and I'm glad I'm able to perform on the big days."

Memories made on the track

Flower of Scotland had earlier rung out at the stadium after wheelchair racer Melanie Woods was presented with her second gold of the Games thanks to her win in the Women’s 400m T54, to add to the 1500m T54 crown she won in Friday’s re-run final.

“Becoming a double Commonwealth champion and being able to do it here will be something I remember for a long time,” Woods said.

“I was really emotional crossing the line because I'd pushed all of that to the surface and tried to keep it there. That was all coming to light this evening.

“It's been such a special week, such an emotional week, and I've soaked all that in.”

Australia won golds in the final two events to ensure they finished top of the Athletics medal table with 34 medals – 12 gold and 11 each of silver and bronze.

Abbey Caldwell led a clean sweep in the Women’s Mile ahead of team-mates Jessica Hull and Claudia Hollingsworth, while Kurtis Marschall set a new Games record to take his third consecutive Men’s Pole Vault title.

Jamaica's Dejanea Oakley joined Woods and Rose Davies (AUS) as a double gold medallist, following up her Women's 400m win by anchoring her nation's victorious Mixed 4x400m Relay team.