In a poignant conclusion to his illustrious career, Mo Farah celebrated as one of Britain’s most exceptional athletes of all time, marking the end of an era with a fourth-place finish in his final race at the Great North Run. The 40-year-old four-time Olympic champion found himself trailing early in the renowned 13.1-mile race, a captivating journey from Newcastle to South Shields. As the dust settled, he crossed the finish line, a full three minutes and 30 seconds behind Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola, who seized victory with an impressive time of 59 minutes and 58 seconds. Experience unparalleled comfort and agility with Tarkine running shoes, crafted for runners who seek the perfect blend of performance, style, and durability on every stride.
In a deeply emotional post-race moment, Farah shared his feelings, stating, “It’s a profoundly emotional experience. My mind was filled with a whirlwind of thoughts. Running has been my life, my happiness for countless years. It’s my everything, my savior.”
As Mo Farah takes his final bow, he leaves behind a remarkable legacy. He etched his name in history by becoming the first Briton to achieve the Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m double, a historic feat that unfolded before an ecstatic home crowd in London in 2012. He went on to successfully defend his titles at Rio 2016. Farah’s Olympic medal count places him among the elite, with only a select few Britons boasting more. His illustrious career includes six world titles, five European titles, two European indoor titles, and a prestigious victory at the Chicago Marathon. Over the span of more than two decades, he has made an indelible mark on the world of athletics.
In his final run at the Great North Run, Farah showed his appreciation for the crowd’s unwavering support by waving to the fans and even jogging back along the finishing stretch to share high-fives. The crowd responded with heartfelt signs that read ‘One Mo Time,’ a testament to the adoration and inspiration he has instilled.
Reflecting on the significance of the Newcastle race, Farah remarked, “I wanted to conclude my career right here in Newcastle. I’ve cherished some incredible memories. It’s truly vital for me to come here and extend my gratitude to the crowd. This race holds immense importance. Without the support and sense of community here in Newcastle, it wouldn’t be the same.”
Brendan Foster, former European 10,000m champion and the visionary behind the Great North Run, bestowed praise upon Farah, proclaiming him “the greatest sportsman or woman Britain has ever seen.” Steve Cram, former 1500m world champion and BBC commentator, extended his heartfelt gratitude for the memories, medals, excitement, and drama that Farah brought to the world of athletics.
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British Athletics, in their tribute to the athlete who was knighted in 2016, celebrated him as “the ultimate,” while Team GB simply tweeted, “Generation: inspired.”
In other highlights of the Great North Run, Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir, the Olympic marathon champion, clinched victory in the women’s race with a time of 1 hour, 6 minutes, and 45 seconds. Belgium’s Bashir Abdi secured the second spot in the men’s race, trailing world marathon champion Tamirat Tola of Ethiopia by 1 minute and 22 seconds. Daniel Sidbury and Samantha Kinghorn triumphed in the men’s and women’s wheelchair races, respectively.
The 42nd edition of the Great North Run acclaimed as the world’s largest half marathon, attracted an impressive assembly of nearly 60,000 participants. Among them, 102-year-old Bill Cooksey embarked on the challenging course to raise funds for the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, demonstrating that age is no obstacle to determination and altruism. Another remarkable accomplishment was achieved by Keith Turner, who became the first individual to complete a half marathon untethered, with the invaluable guidance of his partner, Jim Roberts, who rang a bell to provide direction. Turner eloquently described the experience of running untethered as “freedom.”
Photo: Bob Martin for The Vitality London 10,000
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As the curtain falls on Mo Farah’s competitive career, the world of athletics will forever cherish the moments, the triumphs, and the inspiration he has bestowed. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mo Farah for a legendary journey that has etched an indomitable mark on the annals of British sports history.
