FILE PHOTO: Athletics – British Athletics Championships – Manchester Regional Arena, Manchester, England – June 25, 2021 Britain’s Mo Farah reacts after the men’s 10,000m when he failed to qualify for the distance. 10,000m at the Tokyo Olympics Action images via Reuters / Molly Darlington
Four-time British Olympic champion Mo Farah said on Tuesday that he expects 2023 to be the last year of his career, after confirming that he will host the London Marathon in his hometown “one more time” in April.
Farah, who withdrew from last year’s event due to injury, ran the London Marathon three times with a best finish of third in 2018, the same year he won the Chicago Marathon.
“I’m not going to the Olympics and I think 2023 will probably be my last,” said Farah, who turns 40 in March. “It has been a great career and for me, being in the London Marathon is a big deal.
“I’ve always said it would be great to win it one day, but it takes a lot… It’s great to say goodbye and I think it’s going to be quite emotional.
“I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved and I just want to give it another try to see what I can do. But I have nothing to prove.”
Farah will join the defending Commonwealth Games 10,000 meter champion Eilish McColgan, who also withdrew before debuting last year due to medical issues. The 32-year-old is the daughter of 1996 winner Liz McColgan.
“It was disappointing not to participate in the London Marathon last year. I’ve had a great summer on the track and the plan is to stick to that with my marathon debut in London,” said the 2021 Birmingham Games gold medalist.
“But I was able to take the extra time to fully prepare for the marathon and April is fast approaching so I’m super excited.
“The London Marathon is clearly a special event for me and my family as my mother won the race in 1996 and I can’t wait to experience it for myself.”
The race will be held on the streets of London on April 23. The entire elite field will be announced on Wednesday.
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