Olympic hero Mo Farah eyes shock track return after being inspired by Laura Muir
Golden boy retired from track athletics after a sixth world title in London in August 2017, focusing instead on road running and marathons
MO FARAH is considering a shock return to the track – after being inspired by Laura Muir’s Euro exploits.
Britain’s double Olympic champion will line-up against Kenyan duo Wilson Kipsang and Daniel Wanjiru in the Vitality Big Half on Sunday in his first UK race since winning the Great North Run.
Farah retired from track athletics after a sixth world title in London in August 2017 - focusing instead on road running and winning big marathons.
Yet he is now tempted to defend his world 10,000m title in Doha on October 6, with a decision to be taken after his display at next month’s London Marathon.
Farah, who turns 36 in two weeks, is pining for a comeback after seeing Scot Muir claim the 1500m and 3,000m double in front of an adoring home crowd in Glasgow last weekend.
Farah said: “I miss it the sort of atmosphere that Laura got.
“You get it in the London Marathon more than anything else, but I do miss the track. I do miss representing my country, and competing on home soil.
“I’d love to be able to do well in London and win. That’s my dream. I don’t know whether it is going to be this year, next year, or the following year.
“Doha all depends on the result in London. But having seen my fellow athletes I’ve competed against in the past (in the 10km), and watching the European Indoors on TV, I was thinking: ‘Oh man! I want to get back out there.’
“If things are going well and I’ve got a chance to win a medal then I’d love to come back and run for my country, but my aim now is concentrate on the marathon and don’t get excited.
“Part of me when I watch track races I’m like: ‘Can I still do it? I want to do it.’ You just have to do what you do.”
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As the defending world 10,000m champion, Farah will be permitted a wildcard entry and may use Doha as a springboard for a bumper payday at the New York Marathon in November.
Farah returned early on Friday morning to the UK from his training base in the Ethiopian capital Addis.
After less than a week in the capital, in which he will see his family again, he heads back to East Africa for full-time warm-weather preparation.
The dramatic victory in Chicago last October – his first marathon title – emphasised he had made right decision to focus on the road.
Farah says he has no retirement date in mind yet, potentially running as close to 40 as possible.
He added: “My aim is to keep running, keep enjoying it, and win London.
“As long as my body lets me continue what I’m doing and I keep enjoying it, then I will keep doing it. The 2020 Olympics are not too far away.”