Double Olympic and world champion to headline the men's field at NYC Half in March

Mo Farah is to run the NYC Half Marathon on March 16 as he builds up to making his marathon debut in London in April.

Having been training at altitude in Kenya, the double world and Olympic champion will travel to America and use the event to see where he is at ahead of racing over 26.2 miles for the first time at the Virgin Money London Marathon on April 13.

The 30-year-old, who last summer added world 5000m and 10,000m golds to the Olympic titles he won over the same distances the year before, has run the NYC Half once before in 2011 when he won in 60:23.

"I can confirm that I will run the NYC Half on March 16 as part of my buildup to the London Marathon in April," said Farah.

"It will be my second time to compete in this event, after my win there in 2011. I have been training hard in Kenya and hope to use the New York race to gauge my fitness one month out from my 26.2 mile debut."

Confirming Farah's participation, New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg said: "We're very excited to welcome Mo back to the NYC Half.

"Mo's star quality and fan following are unmatched in our sport, and we are honored to have him highlight our professional field."

Farah will face an elite men's field including the likes of Kenya’s world record-holder Wilson Kipsang, Olympic and world marathon champion Stephen Kiprotich, course record holder Emmanuel Mutai and defending champion Tsegaye Kebede when he takes to the streets of the British capital in April, with Haile Gebrselassie having recently been revealed as the lead pacemaker.