Elise Thorner ran the race of her life as she claimed the scalp of the Olympic champion to win women's 3000m steeplechase silver at the Commonwealth Games.

Kenyan world champion and Olympic silver medallist Faith Cherotich took gold, but Thorner surged clear of her team-mate Peruth Chemutai, the fastest woman in the world this year, to take second.

The 25-year-old Somerset athlete, a two-time British champion, arrived in Glasgow believing she had a strong chance of claiming her first major medal.

And she ended up upgrading the bronze Helen Clitheroe won 24 years ago in the women's 1500m at the Manchester Games.

"When I crossed the line I was in shock, it just feels surreal," she said.

"I just had to play my cards right. I knew I had a personal best in me but the barriers were getting taller as the race went on – it was so hard.

"I was in the bronze medal position for quite a while but, with 1000m to go, I just felt really good and I went for it.

"I've never experienced a crowd and atmosphere like that before. That was exactly how I wanted the race to be. It worked out totally to plan. I had every possibility in my head. I just felt so good."

Thorner's progress over the last few years has been eye-catching, as she has carved nearly 10 seconds off her personal best.

She made last year's world final in Tokyo but, this time, mixed it with the best from steeplechasing powerhouse Kenya, clocking a personal best of 9:05.45.

And once you've won one medal, why not add another? Thorner's time at Scotstoun ranks her number one in Europe this season, a huge boost ahead of the forthcoming European Championships in Birmingham.

Four years ago, Lizzie Bird became the first English woman to win a Commonwealth Games steeplechase medal and followed that up a few weeks later by claiming bronze at the European Championships.

Thorner will now look to repeat that feat at the Alexander Stadium and is also eyeing Bird's British record of 9:04.35, set at the Paris Olympics.

"I wasn't thinking about the time, I was racing for position but I also knew I'd probably need a personal best to get on the podium," added Thorner.

"I was giving it everything I had but gold wasn't really there. It's my first championship medal and it means the world to me.

"I'm probably going to need to go faster again at the European Championships to get a medal but I've got a great shot.

"It's another challenge and I've got rounds to come through too, but I just can't wait to get out there again."

James Toney/Sportsbeat 2026