Great Manchester Run: Mo Farah to compete in Europe’s biggest 10km race

Mo Farah is to race the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run 10km next spring as he returns to an event he first contested more than a decade ago.

The now 10-time global track gold medallist placed third behind Kenya’s Micah Kogo and Eritrea’s Zersenay Tadese in 2007 and is looking forward to being back on the streets of the city on May 20.

“I can’t wait to take on the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run next year. It’s hard to believe that it has been more than 10 years since I first raced there,” said Farah, who retired from track racing following his world gold and silver medals in London last summer and has switched his focus to competing on the roads.

“It’s a fantastic course which has brought some of the best athletes in the world to Manchester. It’s a city that loves its sport and I’m looking forward to coming back.

“The Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run is the biggest race in town,” added the 34-year-old, “and I will be making sure I’m in good shape for next May.”

Since his track retirement, Farah won the Simplyhealth Great North Run last month and is set to run the London Marathon for the second time next April.

As Europe’s biggest 10km event, the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run gives Mancunians and visitors from across the UK the opportunity to run along closed roads in the heart of the city centre, alongside world class athletes, well-known faces and inspirational amateur runners.

Executive member for schools, culture and leisure, councillor Luthfur Rahman, said: “Sir Mo has been an inspiration for millions and I know that Mancunians will be thrilled to have the chance to line up alongside him at next year’s Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run.

“I can’t wait to take part, as the chance to run with Sir Mo is not to be missed – even though he might just beat me over 10km!

“This event is the biggest and best 10km in Europe and so naturally attracts some of the world’s finest athletes, along with thousands of local people who are running to meet their own personal fitness goals. I encourage as many residents as possible to get involved in this fantastic race.”

The Great Manchester Run was first staged as a legacy event following the Commonwealth Games, held in Manchester in 2002, and has grown to be the largest of its kind in Europe, with more than 300,000 finishers crossing the line in its 15-year history.

It is the UK’s third biggest mass-participation running event behind the Simplyhealth Great North Run and the London Marathon.

Source: AW