THE Hampden crowd roared in recognition of the greatest 800m runner of all time.

It then bellowed its appreciation towards the poor Scottish lad who had to chase him.

But Guy Learmonth had no intention of being a victim. Instead - despite a fair old bump as he got boxed in coming into the last bend - the 22-year-old from Berwick upon Tweed followed David Rudisha, the Olympic champion and world record holder from Kenya, all the way into today's Commonwealth semi-final.

Moreover, by the time everything had been verified and checked, he was actually the fourth-fastest qualifier. Being in Rudisha's heat, he mused afterwards, isn't all bad.

"I got a nasty knock with 120m to go and that kind of threw my whole race, so I missed out on the automatic slot," said Learmonth, who finished fourth in 1.47.85 secs behind Rudisha, England's Michael Rimmer and Ricardo Cunningham of Jamaica. "Fortunately I made it because of the quick time - that's the advantage of running with David Rudisha! I've always said I'd love to race Rudisha. That wish was granted today. Now I just can't wait to race him again."

Learmonth, running in lane five, was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he hadn't even heard the PA announcer giving his illustrious Kenyan opponent the big build-up. "I got a bigger cheer than him, though," he added. "That was nice."

He was utterly determined to run his own race, and wisely so, judging by the example of Robert Bagina of Rwanda, who gained the honour of beating Rudisha to the bell, only to promptly self destruct and trail in seventh, the best part of 10 seconds behind. What wasn't in the plan, though, was the contact with Cunningham, although as a former rugby player Learmonth clearly isn't averse to a little bit of ruck and maul.

"Everyone was getting edgy," he said. "Some were thinking they could take Rudisha on in the first 400. It all became a bit of battle with everyone pushing and shoving. I had to check and come wide, and wasted a lot of energy. But it's the Commonwealth Games, not school sports day. There is such quality in this event, world class runners all over. But if the race is quick, I can tag on - then I know I can do some damage."

The cold, wind and occasional bursts of rain might have been an unpleasant change from Narok County, Kenya, but Rudisha, a winner at this venue on Diamond League duty earlier this month, gushed about the atmosphere after his victory in 1.46.89secs. "Today it was just all about qualifying to the second round," said the Kenyan, who isn't quite back in the form he was when becoming the only man in history to break 1.41 for the distance at London 2012. "I was just taking it easy, as usual, and trying to preserve as much energy as possible. I'm very happy with the way the crowd are responding and cheering, the stadium is almost full. The track is really good. It feels nice, and fast."

Rudisha wasn't the only world class performer progressing serenely at Hampden yesterday. In addition to Eilidh Child and Kaliese Spencer in the 400m hurdles, another star of the 2012 Olympics was leaping into the long jump final. Greg Rutherford, the meat in that Jessica Ennis/Mo Farah Super Saturday sandwich, was required to jump just once to qualify top of the rankings for today's final. His 8.05m led the standings, although his English team-mate Andy Turner will be unable to defend his Commonwealth 110m hurdles title after failing to finish his heat.

Earlier, Samantha Kinghorn of Melrose and Meggan Dawson-Farrell of Tullibody had qualified for tomorrow's para sport T54 1500m final. A third-place finish in her heat saw Kinghorn qualify by right, while fastest loser Dawson-Farrell's 3.58.78secs was fourth fastest overall. "I've got to the final at my first games so I am pleased," Kinghorn said. "I will meet my family tonight then rest up to get the right preparation for the final."