Mo Farah’s ’emotional’ farewell to fans as he runs in the Big Half through London
MO FARAH has paid an emotional farewell to his fans as ran through London for the last time today in The Big Half marathon.
The sporting legend crossed the finish line in fourth place as he joined another 15,000 runners for his last ever race across the city after an iconic 30 year career.
During his impressive three decades of competing, Sir Mo has earned himself four Olympic golds and six world titles.
But, now the 40-year-old has confirmed his retirement and will use The Big Half, a race he has already won three times, to “say goodbye” to London.
He’ll officially retire from the track for good at the Great North Run next week.
Mo came in eighth at the Great Manchester Run in May, and ninth in the 2023 London Marathon in April, and he faced fierce competition as runners battled it out to make GB’s half-marathon team.
Farah, who was cheered on today by his wife and three of his four kids, said: “It was very mixed emotions.
“When I lined up, I knew it was my final race in London. I tried to be as competitive as I could. But that’s all I had.
“I haven’t felt well for the last few days. I had a cold. I said to (event director) Hugh Brasher, I’m not feeling well, I don’t think I should do it.
“I had a tough decision about whether to pull out or not. I decided I would run and not let people down.
“I hope I’ll be better for the Great North Run. I’ll go out there and give it my all.
“It’s hard to think that there is no more racing in London. But everything must come to an end at some point.
“It was emotional running this time with people cheering ‘Go on Mo’ – that memory will always stay with me.
“I would have loved to have given more than what I showed but it wasn’t to be.
“It has not been a hard decision to quit because of my body is getting on a bit.
“When you get niggles, it is difficult to stop-start in training. I have known since 2019 that if I wanted to be the best, I needed more training.”
Sir Mo finished with an impressive time of 01:02:43, just behind Andrew Butchart who came in third.
There were just seconds between him and Jack Rowe, who claimed first place, with a time of 01:01:08.
Meanwhile Mahamed Mahamed came in second with a time of 01:01:16.
In the women’s elite race, Calli Thackery crossed the finish line first with a time of 1:09:15 to qualify for the inaugural World Road Running Champs half-marathon in Riga later this month.
And, David Weir claimed victory in the wheelchair race.
Before his last London race this morning, Mo said he felt lucky to end his impressive career in this way.
“I’ve loved the sport, loved what I have done over the years,” he said in a heartfelt message to fans ahead of the race.
“I’m lucky to have had a long career but at some point it must end.
“I’ve made up my mind. This will be my final race in London. I’ve had so many memories here.”
The Team GB legend explained while his “heart” is still in the race, his body can no longer endure the physical strain.
He added: “The most frustrating part, when you get to a certain age, are the injuries. You have to accept it and move on.
“This is not my time, I did what I needed to do.
“Time to move on and let the youngsters come along, see what they can do.”
Mo told the : “There’s no other city like London in the whole world and I’ve had some memorable times here.”
He recalled his first 2012 Olympic gold medal win in the 10,000 metre in Stratford, east London. and said he had been chasing the feeling ever since.
“Everyone knows what this city means to me. I’ve been racing around the streets of London since I was an under-13 athlete competing in the Mini London Marathon.”
The running icon looked back on the other 20 plus races through the city he’s smashed such as the London Marathon and the Vitality London 10,000.
“The Big Half on Sunday is going to be emotional and a chance for me to say goodbye to everyone in London who has supported me throughout my career because I’ve been very grateful for that support,” he added.
Mo described the race as “special” and “what this city is all about” for including runners of all abilities.
“It’s a bit of a weird feeling knowing it’s going to be my last race in London. I’ve never had that to think about before,” he added.
“There’s always been a ‘next year’ but not this time. There is a lot of stuff going through my mind (about what I do when I retire). But the most important thing is staying healthy.”
However the runner did say he will maintain his involvement in the sporting industry somehow to keep his passion alive and stay active.
