Sir Mo Farah has revealed that be will retire after he competes at the Great North Run in September.
The 40-year old was the centre of attention in Sunday’s London Marathon which was his last of five participation, ultimately crossing the line in ninth as Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum went on to win the race.
Farah relived how his career began at the London mini Marathon and declared his intention to give back to the community by involving himself in grassroot sports.
“I started here at the mini marathon and to finish here is just incredible,” the Somali-born runner said after the race. “If somebody had said to that kid running the mini marathon that I’ll be Olympic champion, he would never have believed it.
“The sport needs this, we need to give back to the young athletes and teach them what is possible with hard work.
“I want to pass that on. The Great North Run is going to be my last ever run and that will be my goodbye. My career has been amazing, my wife and kids have been with me throughout this journey and I want to give time to them now, as well as getting involved in grassroots sport and give back to this sport.”
An emotional day as @Mo_Farah completes the London Marathon for one final time ❤️
Farewell, Sir Mo. It's been an honour. #LondonMarathon #WeRunTogether #SirMoFarah pic.twitter.com/X08Piqgwj4
— TCS London Marathon (@LondonMarathon) April 23, 2023
Reacting to finishing the London Marathon, Farah said be fell short of his expectations as he struggled with fatigue. It was however an emotional end to the race for him.
“I was confident and I thought I could do between 2:05 and 2:07 but you never know with the marathon,” Farah continued.
“I gave it my all but my body just wasn’t responding and that’s when you know when it’s time to call it a day.
“Part of me was wanting to cry. The people were amazing, even in the rain to line the streets and that’s what this is all about. It’s what has kept me going for so long throughout my career.
“I will miss that feeling, I am emotional today.”
Farah is a four-time Olympic champion, winning gold in the 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres race at the 2012 and 2016 games in London and Rio de Janeiro respectively.
He is also a six-time World Athletics Championship winner in the above categories, taking three gold medals in the 5,000 metres race at the 2011, 2013 and 2015 championships in Daegu, Moscow and Beijing, and another three gold medals in the 10,000 metres race in Moscow, Beijing and the 2017 World Championship in London.
Farah was also victorious in the 5,000 metres race at the 2017 IAAF Diamond League in Zurich.
