The 10-time global track gold medallist has switched his focus to the roads and will race for a record fourth consecutive win in Newcastle on September 10
Mo Farah has announced his intention to win an unprecedented fourth consecutive Simplyhealth Great North Run when he takes to the start line in just under two weeks’ time.
Great Britain’s greatest ever distance runner will defend his Simplyhealth Great North Run title over the world-famous half-marathon between Newcastle and South Shields when the race returns on Sunday September 10.
The 10-time global gold medallist retired from track racing this month, after winning 10,000m gold and 5000m silver at the IAAF World Championships in London, and will now concentrate his efforts on the road, with the world’s biggest half-marathon firmly in his sights.
Farah has competed in every Simplyhealth Great North Run since 2013, finishing second in his first outing and winning in 2014, 2015 and 2016, when he held off the challenge of American Dathan Ritzenhein to become the first male runner to win three consecutive Great North Runs.
A fourth win for Farah would equal Benson Masya’s record, with the Kenyan winning over the 13.1-mile distance in 1991, 1992, 1994 and 1996.
“I’m excited to be competing in the Simplyhealth Great North Run again,” said Farah. “It’s one of my favourite races in the calendar. The support from the crowds is always amazing and I can’t wait to come back to the North-East.
“Winning just one Great North Run was a lifelong ambition but to win four in a row would be unbelievable.”
Brendan Foster, founder of the Simplyhealth Great North Run and chairman of The Great Run Company, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Mo will be coming back to compete at the Simplyhealth Great North Run.
“He’s Great Britain’s greatest athlete of all time, and to have him back here on the start line in Newcastle is fantastic.”
Farah will be competing against last year’s runner-up Ritzenhein and five-time Olympian Bernard Lagat, with more names still to be confirmed.
The Simplyhealth Great North Run will be broadcast live on BBC One on Sunday September 10 from 9.30am-1.30pm, with highlights on BBC Two at 6pm. For more information, visit greatrun.org/north
