{{Short description|Scottish and Great British athlete (born 1992)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}} {{Use British English|date=May 2015}} {{Infobox sportsperson | name = Guy Learmonth | fullname = | image = Commonwealth Games 2014 - Guy Learmonth (cropped).jpg | image_size = 150 | caption = Learmonth at the 2014 Commonwealth Games | nationality = British | residence = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|4|20|df=y}} | birth_place = Berwick-upon-Tweed, United Kingdom | death_date = | death_place = | height = {{height|m=1.83}} | weight = {{convert|75|kg|lb|abbr=on}} | sport = Athletics | event = 800 metres | collegeteam = Loughborough University | club = | coach = {{ubl | Henry Gray (2009-2019) | Rob Denmark (2015-2016) | George Gandy (2012-2014) | Justin Rinaldi (2019-2024) | Bruno Gajer (2024-present) }} | medaltemplates = }}

'''Guy Learmonth''' (born 20 April 1992 in Berwick-upon-Tweed<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://g2014results.thecgf.com/athlete/athletics/1022953/guy_learmonth.html |title=Glasgow 2014 - Guy Learmonth Profile |website=g2014results.thecgf.com |access-date=2016-06-02 |archive-date=3 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803130325/http://g2014results.thecgf.com/athlete/athletics/1022953/guy_learmonth.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>) is a Scottish and Great British athlete specialising in the 800 metres. His personal best currently stands as 1:44.73 and he is the third fastest Scottish 800m athlete of all time. Learmonth reached the final at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the 2015 European Indoor Championships and the 2022 World Athletics Indoor Championships, finishing sixth overall in all three. He was named the GB&NI captain for the European Indoor Championships in 2019 and also competed outdoors at the 2017 World Championships. He broke the Scottish 800m Junior Record 9 times, and holds the English AAA U20 Indoor & BUCS Championship records.

== Biography == From Berwick-upon-Tweed, he has two siblings Jack and Max.<ref>{{cite web|title= Guy Learmonth feeling good ahead of UK Indoor Championships|date=18 February 2023|url= https://www.thenational.scot/sport/23331468.guy-learmonth-feeling-good-ahead-uk-indoor-championships/|website=The National|accessdate=5 Feb 2026 }}</ref><ref name="riot">{{cite web|website=The Times|url= https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/scottish-800m-runner-guy-learmonth-has-sights-set-on-tokyo-2020-p07s6rpzw?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqe9yjDLj1AWd9x878ZwpfxgGgDOLOlGf9NV5gSSiUAWxdFqSeLaQtekpyZFzio%3D&gaa_ts=69845cfc&gaa_sig=n8SqKkaVURH-f5IMf7o5vQbWuo_5HQW7N6XRN9aJTqbZgxYn7uYQOth-5nLUlACgbRkdaxZLQcO18eMD1xLgpA%3D%3D|accessdate=5 February 2026|title= Scottish 800m runner Guy Learmonth has sights set on Tokyo 2020|first=Graham|last=Spiers|date=7 March 2020}}</ref> Learmonth attended Longridge Towers School.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Longridge |date=2020-11-25 |title=Alumni Stories {{!}} Longridge Towers School |url=https://lts.org.uk/alumni/alumni-stories/ |access-date=2025-12-22 |website=lts.org.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="riot">{{cite web|website=The Times|url= https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/scottish-800m-runner-guy-learmonth-has-sights-set-on-tokyo-2020-p07s6rpzw?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqe9yjDLj1AWd9x878ZwpfxgGgDOLOlGf9NV5gSSiUAWxdFqSeLaQtekpyZFzio%3D&gaa_ts=69845cfc&gaa_sig=n8SqKkaVURH-f5IMf7o5vQbWuo_5HQW7N6XRN9aJTqbZgxYn7uYQOth-5nLUlACgbRkdaxZLQcO18eMD1xLgpA%3D%3D|accessdate=5 February 2026|title= Scottish 800m runner Guy Learmonth has sights set on Tokyo 2020|first=Graham|last=Spiers|date=7 March 2020}}</ref> Before turning to athletics at age 17, Learmonth practised rugby for the Border Reivers.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.guylearmonth.com/about/|title = About {{!}} Guy Learmonth GB & Scottish International 800m Athlete|website = www.guylearmonth.com|access-date = 2016-06-02|archive-date = 17 June 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160617065849/http://www.guylearmonth.com/about/|url-status = live}}</ref> Learmonth holds a Sports Management degree from Loughborough University and in 2021 completed an Diploma in Egyptology (Distinction).<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://blog.lucybee.co/coconut-oil-fitness-and-performance/introducing-guy-learmonth-gb-athlete/|title = Introducing Guy Learmonth GB Athlete {{!}} Lucy Bee Blog|last = Bee|first = Lucy|date = 2014-02-12|website = Lucy Bee Blog|language = en-GB|access-date = 2016-06-02|archive-date = 11 June 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160611065928/https://blog.lucybee.co/coconut-oil-fitness-and-performance/introducing-guy-learmonth-gb-athlete/|url-status = dead}}</ref> He trained as a member of Lasswade AC and was coached by Henry Gray who came out of retirement to coach him when Learmonth was a teenager.<ref> {{cite web|url=https://www.scottishathletics.org.uk/109533-2/|website= scottishathletics.org.uk |accessdate=5 Feb 2026|title= How Lasswade AC’s Glasgow 2014 role models ‘mesmerised’ Sarah Tait|date=9 September 2025}} </ref><ref name="twin">{{cite web|website=Athletics Weekly|accessdate=5 Feb 2026|title= GUY LEARMONTH: "I'M NOT SCARED OF FAILURE" |url=https://athleticsweekly.com/news/interviews/guy-learmonth-im-not-scared-of-failure-1039923467/|date=5 July 2019|first=Euan|last=Crumley}}</ref> His brother Jack later also acted as his coach, as did Rob Denmark.<ref name="riot"/><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/guy-learmonth-hopes-slim-line-will-be-a-tonic-for-his-career-626073|website=Edinburgh News|accessdate=5 Feb 2026|title= Guy Learmonth hopes slim line will be a tonic for his career|date=22 Feb 2016}}</ref>

==Athletics career== ===Early career: Commonwealth Games debut=== Guy Learmonth's first major athletics competition was the 2011 European Athletics Junior Championships. He competed in the 800 metres event, winning his heat.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.european-athletics.org/competitions/european-athletics-u20-championships/history/year=2011/results/index.html#800%20m%20MenHeatsHeat%204 |title=Competitions - European Athletics Under 20 Championships - History - European Athletics |website=european-athletics |access-date=2016-06-02 |archive-date=2 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171102135739/http://www.european-athletics.org/competitions/european-athletics-u20-championships/history/year=2011/results/index.html#800%20m%20MenHeatsHeat%204 |url-status=live }}</ref> In his semi-final, he finished fifth. He also competed at the BUCS Indoor Championships that year, winning the 800 metres by over a second and setting a new championships best performance.<ref>{{Cite book |title=BUCS Indoor Championships 2011 Results |publisher=BUCS |year=2011 |url=http://www.bucs.org.uk/core/core_picker/download.asp?id=17146 |pages=14–16}}</ref> He won his first national senior medal in 2011, taking a bronze at the British Indoor Athletics Championships.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thepowerof10.info/results/results.aspx?meetingid=42536&event=800&venue=Sheffield&date=13-Feb-11 |title=Results |website=www.thepowerof10.info |access-date=2016-06-02 |archive-date=4 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804003438/http://thepowerof10.info/results/results.aspx?meetingid=42536&event=800&venue=Sheffield&date=13-Feb-11 |url-status=live }}</ref> It would be the first of 13 National Indoor medals.

In 2012, he competed at his first Diamond League meeting at the Bislett Games in Oslo, setting a new personal best in the 800 metres finishing second.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://oslo.diamondleague.com/en/lists-results/results-archive/ |title=Results Archive - Diamond League - Oslo |website=oslo.diamondleague.com |access-date=2016-06-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531063057/http://oslo.diamondleague.com/en/lists-results/results-archive/ |archive-date=31 May 2016 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> He also retained his 800 metres title in 2012 at the BUCS Indoor Championships, winning by over a second, like the previous year.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bucs.org.uk/page.asp?section=16474&sectionTitle=11%252D12+Indoor+Championships+Results |title=11-12 Indoor Championships Results - British Universities & Colleges Sport |website=www.bucs.org.uk |access-date=2016-06-02 |archive-date=27 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927002715/http://www.bucs.org.uk/page.asp?section=16474&sectionTitle=11%252D12+Indoor+Championships+Results |url-status=live }}</ref> On his debut at the BUCS Outdoor Championships he won gold in the 800 metres, in a competition that took place at the Olympic Stadium.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bucs.org.uk/page.asp?section=16564&sectionTitle=Monday+Results |title=Monday Results - British Universities & Colleges Sport |website=www.bucs.org.uk |access-date=2016-06-02 |archive-date=27 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927002710/http://www.bucs.org.uk/page.asp?section=16564&sectionTitle=Monday+Results |url-status=live }}</ref> He improved on his result from the 2011 British Indoor Championships by winning a silver medal in 2012 championships in the 800 metres at the EIS Sheffield.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thepowerof10.info/results/results.aspx?meetingid=57748&event=800&venue=Sheffield&date=12-Feb-12 |title=Results |website=www.thepowerof10.info |access-date=2016-06-02 |archive-date=12 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812052143/http://thepowerof10.info/results/results.aspx?meetingid=57748&event=800&venue=Sheffield&date=12-Feb-12 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2013, he chose not to defend his 800 metres titles at either the indoor or outdoor BUCS Championships, and attempted the 1500 metres at the outdoor championships, the only times he raced over the distance that year. He won both his heat and his semi-final, but finished a tenth of a second outside the medals, in fourth place.<ref>{{Cite book |title=2013 BUCS Outdoor Championships Results |publisher=BUCS |year=2013 |url=http://www.bucs.org.uk/core/core_picker/download.asp?id=22031 |pages=17–19}}</ref> He competed in the British Indoor Championships, winning a bronze medal.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thepowerof10.info/results/results.aspx?meetingid=73941&event=800&venue=Sheffield&date=10-Feb-13 |title=Results |website=www.thepowerof10.info |access-date=2016-06-02 |archive-date=9 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909110845/http://thepowerof10.info/results/results.aspx?meetingid=73941&event=800&venue=Sheffield&date=10-Feb-13 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2014, he moved back down to the 800 metres at the BUCS Indoor Championships, winning his third 800 metres title.<ref>{{Cite book |title=2014 BUCS Indoor Championships Results |publisher=BUCS |year=2014 |url=http://www.bucs.org.uk/core/core_picker/download.asp?id=24935 |pages=24 |archive-date=25 September 2016 |access-date=2 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160925003310/http://www.bucs.org.uk/core/core_picker/download.asp?id=24935 |url-status=live }}</ref> He won the Indoor Glasgow International Match winning over a rarely run 600m race in a time of 1:16:48 and in the process broke the Scottish National 600m record which has been held for 40 years, at the same time, breaking the British U23 600m Indoor record and going to number 3 on the UK All Time rankings. Learmonth competed in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow achieving 6th place in the 800 metres final with a personal best time of 1:46.69.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://g2014results.thecgf.com/PEVU/PEVU_ATM008101.html |title=Glasgow 2014 - Men's 800m Final |website=g2014results.thecgf.com |access-date=2016-06-02 |archive-date=17 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117070437/http://g2014results.thecgf.com/PEVU/PEVU_ATM008101.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> He got there by qualifying from the heats, and securing the third automatic qualifying spot in his semi-final by two hundredths of a second.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/commonwealth-games/2014/results/sports/athletics/mens-800m |title=Results - Mens 800m - Athletics - Glasgow 2014 - Commonwealth Games |website=BBC Sport |access-date=2016-06-02 |archive-date=1 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801062957/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/commonwealth-games/2014/results/sports/athletics/mens-800m |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was slated to also run the 4 x 400 metres relay at the Games, but left the team due to the death of his grandfather.<ref name="baker">{{cite web|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/39144106|website=BBC Sport|accessdate=5 Feb 2026|title= Guy Learmonth: Scot puts personal trauma aside in European Indoors medal bid|date= 2 March 2017}}</ref>

===2018-2021: Multiple UK Indoor titles, World Championship debut=== In 2015, Learmonth was crowned British Indoor Champion in the 800 metres.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |url=http://www.britishathletics.org.uk/results/20160227_sheffield/timetable/index/Data/M/800_R_f.html |title=British Athletics Results |website=www.britishathletics.org.uk |access-date=2016-06-02 |archive-date=2 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302052438/http://www.britishathletics.org.uk/results/20160227_sheffield/timetable/index/Data/M/800_R_f.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He also won both his heat and semi-final of the 800 metres before going on to finish sixth in the final at the European Indoor Championships in Prague, Czech Republic.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.european-athletics.org/competitions/european-athletics-indoor-championships/history/year=2015/results/index.html#800%20m%20MenFinal |title=Competitions - European Athletics Indoor Championships - History - European Athletics |website=european-athletics |access-date=2016-06-02 |archive-date=19 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819115840/http://www.european-athletics.org/competitions/european-athletics-indoor-championships/history/year=2015/results/index.html#800%20m%20MenFinal |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2016, he won a bronze medal, coming third at the British Indoor Championships in the 800 metres.<ref name="auto"/> Similarly, in 2017 Learmonth was crowned British Indoor Champion, and competed at the 2017 European Athletics Indoor Championships.<ref>{{Cite web |title= European Indoor Championships|date=3 March 2017 |url= https://worldathletics.org/competition/calendar-results/results/7105085?eventId=10229556 |access-date=5 Feb 2026|website=World Athletics}}</ref><ref name="baker"/> He also won a silver medal in the British Outdoor Championships. Shortly after, Learmonth competed in the London Anniversary Games where he achieved a lifetime beat of 1:45.77 and the qualifying standard for the London World Championships in August 2017 where he reached the semi-final.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Guy thrilled to land London return ticket|date=9 July 2017|url= https://www.scottishathletics.org.uk/guy-thrilled-land-london-return-ticket/ |access-date=5 Feb 2026|website=Scottish Athletics}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= IAAF World Championships in Athletics|date=4 August 2017 |url= https://worldathletics.org/competition/calendar-results/results/7093740?eventId=10229501 |access-date=5 Feb 2026|website=World Athletics}}</ref>

In 2018, he set his lifetime best over the 800m with a time of 1:44.73 at the London Diamond League to place third on the Scottish all-time lists behind Tom McKean and Jake Wightman.<ref name="twin"/> In 2019, he began to train under Australia based coach Justin Rinaldi.<ref name="lewis"> {{cite web|website= /fastrunning.com|title=Guy Learmonth - A New Person|date=17 Feb 2023|accessdate=5 Feb 2026|first=James|last=Rhodes|url= https://fastrunning.com/training/athlete-insights/guy-learmonth-a-new-person/35490/}}</ref> At the 2019 Indoor European Championships, Glasgow, Learmonth was named GB & NI Team Captain and qualified for the semi-finals of the 800 metres but had a fall during his semi-final and was unable to reach the final.<ref name="lewis"/> The following year, he won his third British Indoor Championships title.<ref name="riot"/>

===2022-present: Third Commonwealth Games, fourth British Indoor title=== Runner-up to Elliot Giles at the 2022 Indoor Championships, he was selected for the 2022 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/scotland/60565684 |title=2022 World Indoors: Jenny Selman and Adam Thomas given first GB&NI call as five Scots make team|website=BBC Sport|accessdate=5 Feb 2026|date= 1 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=UK Indoor Championships|date=17 February 2022|url= https://worldathletics.org/competition/calendar-results/results/7179884?eventId=10229556 |access-date=5 Feb 2026|website=World Athletics}}</ref> In 2022, Learmonth also made his third consecutive Scottish team at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, where he finished sixth in the final.<ref>{{Cite web |title= XXII Commonwealth Games|date=2 August 2022|url= https://worldathletics.org/competition/calendar-results/results/7147633?eventId=10229501 |access-date=5 Feb 2026|website=World Athletics}}</ref>

In February 2023, he ran an indoor personal best of 1:46.36 in Germany, 0.10 seconds behind Tom McKean's longstanding 1:46.26 Scottish Record, set before Learmonth’a birth.<ref name="lewis"/> His fourth British Indoor Championships title came in 2023,<ref>{{Cite web |title= UK Indoor Championships|date=18 Feb 2023|url= https://worldathletics.org/competition/calendar-results/results/7193511?eventId=10229556 |access-date=5 Feb 2026|website=World Athletics}}</ref> ahead of the 2023 European Athletics Indoor Championships in Istanbul, Turkey where he finished sixth in the final of the 800 metres.<ref> {{cite web|website=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=5 Feb 2026|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/athletics/2024/02/22/guy-learmonth-left-out-british-athletics-indoor-team/|title= Guy Learmonth calls out ‘new faces, same BS’ after being left out of Britain’s indoor team|first=Jeremy|last=Wilson|date=22 February 2024}}</ref>

In February 2024, he was runner-up by 0.001 seconds in the 800 metres to Jack Higgins at the 2024 British Indoor Athletics Championships in Birmingham.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=5 February 2026|title= Guy Learmonth criticises 'disgusting' omission from World Indoor Championships |website=BBC Sport|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/68382505 |date=23 Feb 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=Fast Running|date=21 February 2024|first=James|last=Rhodes|url=https://fastrunning.com/events-and-races/weekend-round-ups/brilliant-in-birmingham-super-in-seville-weekend-round-up/36964/|title= Brilliant in Birmingham & Super in Seville – Weekend Round Up|accessdate=24 Feb 2025}}</ref> He qualified via his world ranking to compete at the subsequent World Indoor Championships in Glasgow but was not selected, with British Athletics choosing not to send an athlete in his event. Learmonth publicly criticised the decision.<ref>{{cite web|date=23 Feb 2025|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/athletics/guy-learmonth-british-athletics-world-indoors-b2501364.html|accessdate=24 Feb 2025|title= Guy Learmonth accuses British Athletics of ‘nonsense’ decision over World Indoor Championships|website=Independent}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://athleticsweekly.com/athletics-news/guy-learmonth-fuming-over-world-indoors-snub-1039975676/|website=Athletics Weekly|accessdate=24 Feb 2025|title= Guy Learmonth fuming over World Indoors snub|first= Jason|last= Henderson |date= Feb 23, 2024}}</ref> In 2024, Learmonth moved to train with Bruno Gajer in France, the coach of his girlfriend and fellow runner Renelle Lamote, and split with his long time coach Justin Rinaldi. However, a succession of injuries prevented a full 2025 season. He returned to racing at the Glasgow EAP in February 2026.<ref>{{cite web|date=16 Jan 2026|website=Athletics Weekly|title= GUY LEARMONTH'S FRENCH REVOLUTION|url= https://athleticsweekly.com/news/guy-learmonths-french-revolution-1040009564/|access-date=5 Feb 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.scottishathletics.org.uk/113035-2/|website=Scottish Athletics|accessdate=1 Feb 2026|title= Native Indoor Mile Records and Scottish event wins at another exciting EAP Glasgow |date=31 Jan 2026}}</ref>

==Competition record== {| {{AchievementTable|Event=yes}} |- !colspan="6"|Representing {{GBR2}} and {{SCO}} |- |2011 |European Junior Championships |Tallinn, Estonia |13th (sf) |800 m |1:51.72 |- |2014 |Commonwealth Games |Glasgow, United Kingdom |6th |800 m |1:46.69 |- |2015 |European Indoor Championships |Prague, Czech Republic |6th |800 m |1:47.84 |- |rowspan=2|2017 |European Indoor Championships |Belgrade, Serbia |9th (h) |800 m |1:48.73 |- |World Championships |London, United Kingdom |19th (sf) |800 m |1:46.75 |- |rowspan=2|2018 |Commonwealth Games |Gold Coast, Australia |17th (h) |800 m |1:49.20 |- |European Championships |Berlin, Germany |11th (sf) |800 m |1:46.83 |- |2019 |European Indoor Championships |Glasgow, United Kingdom |14th (h) |800 m |1:48.98<sup>1</sup> |- |2021 |European Indoor Championships |Toruń, Poland |8th (sf) |800 m |1:47.92 |- |rowspan=2|2022 |rowspan=2|World Indoor Championships |rowspan=2|Belgrade, Serbia |14th (h) |800 m |1:49.13 |- |6th |4 × 400 m relay |3:08.30 |- |2023 |European Indoor Championships |Istanbul, Turkey |6th |800 m |1:48.46 |} <sup>1</sup>Did not finish in the semifinals

==Personal bests== '''Outdoor''' *400 metres – 48.00 (Glasgow 2012) *600 metres – 1:16.70 (Amsterdam 2015) *800 metres – 1:44.73 (London 2018) *1500 metres – 3:45.40 (Bedford 2013) '''Indoor''' *600 metres – 1:16.48 (Glasgow 2014) *800 metres – 1:47.00 (Birmingham 2017)

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{World Athletics}} * {{Diamond League}} * {{Power of 10}} * {{CGF profile|63375|archive=20200720021920}} * {{CGS profile|guy-learmonth}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Learmonth, Guy}} Category:Living people Category:1992 births Category:Scottish men middle-distance runners Category:British men middle-distance runners Category:Commonwealth Games athletes for Scotland Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2014 Commonwealth Games Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2018 Commonwealth Games Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2022 Commonwealth Games Category:Sportspeople from Berwick-upon-Tweed Category:Sportspeople from Northumberland Category:Alumni of Loughborough University Category:World Athletics Championships athletes for Great Britain Category:21st-century Scottish sportsmen