Five-Star Sir Mo Takes Simplyhealth Great North Run Win
SIR MO Farah became the first male runner to win five consecutive Simplyhealth Great North Runs with another hard-earned victory at the famous half marathon, on a day when Vivian Cheruiyot made it two wins inside three years.
Farah clocked 59.26 to complete his quintet of victories with last year's runner-up Jake Robertson once more finishing second, taking a personal best time of 59.57 while Belgian distance runner Bashir Abdi finishing third in 60.43.
Farah, 35, said: “I really wanted to test myself, see how I am and ask questions of myself. I have come all the way from US, so I didn’t want to go easy.”
Cheruiyot, who finished second to Mary Keitany in 2017, went one better this year and sealed her first win since 2016, clocking 67.43 from Brigid Kosgei who finished second in 67.52. Joyciline Jepkosgei completed the all-Kenyan trio, finishing third in 68.10.
Cheruiyot said: “I am happy to be a winner today and I am looking forward to being here next year.
“This was preparation for New York, to test myself. I now know where I am and I am going to train for my next marathon.”
In the wheelchair race, David Weir won his seventh Simplyhealth Great North Run and in clocking 41.19 broke his own course record set in 2009. Martyna Snopek won the women’s race in 63.02.