Press Release - London Marathon - 9/10/17

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


         Sir Mo Farah to run the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon

10/09/2017

The world's greatest distance runner Sir Mo Farah announced today that he 
will return to the Virgin Money London Marathon in 2018.

Farah retired from track competition this summer with an historic record of 
10 global gold medals at World and Olympic Games over 5,000m and 10,000m.

Now he wants to write his name into history on the roads, starting with his 
home town race and the world's greatest marathon, the Virgin Money London 
Marathon, on Sunday 22 April.

"I am thrilled to be starting this new chapter in my career with the Virgin 
Money London Marathon," said Farah, speaking after winning the Great North 
Run for a fourth successive time today (Sunday). "I have wonderful memories 
on the track over the course of my career, winning medals at Olympic Games 
and World Championships, including spine-tingling victories in front of my 
home crowds.

"But that part of my career is behind me now and I can't wait to start a 
new adventure racing on the roads in 2018, starting with the world's 
greatest marathon.

"The London Marathon is my home race and it is so special to me. The 
previous times I have taken part (in 2013 and 2014) were amazing.  The 
atmosphere on the course was unbelievable. Just like at the 2012 Olympic 
Games in London and at the World Championships this summer, those 
incredible home crowds really do give me that extra motivation. I can't 
wait to experience that again next year.

"When I decided to concentrate solely on the roads from 2018 I knew that I 
wanted this to be my first marathon. The London Marathon has been a great 
supporter of me over the years. It doesn't feel that long ago that I was 
running the Mini Marathon and in my early years the London Marathon 
provided me with crucial funding support.

"I can't wait for next April and will be training as hard as ever over the 
coming months to ensure I'm in the best shape possible."

Farah, 34, first ran the Virgin Money London Marathon in 2013 when he took 
part in just the first half of the race to gain experience of running a 
major city marathon.

He returned the following year when he finished in eighth place in a time 
of 2 hours 8 minutes and 21 seconds.

Hugh Brasher, Event Director of the Virgin Money London Marathon, said: "We 
are absolutely delighted that Mo has chosen to start this new chapter of 
his career at the Virgin Money London Marathon.

"Mo's success on the track is legendary and now his focus has moved to the 
roads, we can't wait to see what he will do over the marathon distance, 
especially in front of home crowds. I'm sure the whole country is just as 
excited and will turn out in force to support him on Sunday 22 April."

                                   ###