Robertson To Challenge Farah For Great North Run Glory
WHILE Sir Mo Farah will be looking to make it five wins in a row when he returns to Tyneside for the Simplyhealth Great North Run, it will not be a foregone conclusion as his competition for the prize has been announced.
The ten-time Olympic and world champion became the first runner to win four consecutive times when he beat Jake Robertson on the iconic 13.1 mile course last year – and victory on Sunday will put him clear at the top of the roll of honour in the event’s history.
New Zealand record holder Robertson marked his second-placed finish a year ago by memorably proposing to his girlfriend Magdalyne Masai who had finished fourth in the women’s race, and will return to the scene of his romantic act when he lines up against Farah on Sunday.
The 28-year-old has been in fine form in 2018, beating his own national record over the 10,000m with a 27.28 in New Orleans in April, and matching his half marathon PB in Japan clocking 60.01.
Robertson came within a whisker of beating Farah a year ago, with the British 35-year-old having to produce one of his trademark sprint finishes to come home six seconds ahead of his suitor on the South Shields coast.
Farah will continue his preparations for the Chicago Marathon, where he takes on Galen Rupp and Yuki Kawauchi over 26.2miles, and Farah’s competition will be at similar points of their training for the iconic distance.
Daniel Wanjiru, who won the London Marathon in 2017, will take on Farah and Robertson on Tyneside, while 2012 New York Marathon winner Stanley Biwott has also been added to the field.
Commonwealth marathon champion Mike Shelley will make his debut at the world’s biggest half marathon on Sunday, while British interest will come in the shape of Great Britain’s Olympian Andy Vernon and Jonny Mellor.
Simplyhealth Great North Run is live on BBC One on Sunday 9 September, 09:30-13:30. For more information on the event, visit: Greatrun.org/North
Related Articles
1/11
What to Expect at this year’s AJ Bell Great South Run
The AJ Bell Great South Run weekend is back for another spectacular celebration of running.
Top British Athletes to Battle it Out at the AJ Bell Great South Run
The stage is set for another thrilling race at the AJ Bell Great South Run with a high calibre British field assembled once again for the iconic 10-mile event.
Power of Running: Phil Pollard
At 82 years and six months, Phil Pollard, from Alverstoke, Hampshire, is still passionate about running.
Power of Running: Stephen Hore
Stephen Hore, 41, from Southbourne/Emsworth, is gearing up to run the Great South Run for the first time this year,
Power of Running: Michelle Stone
Michelle Stone, soon to be 47, will be celebrating her birthday in a special way this year – by taking part in the Great South Run.
Power of Running: Gerard Beauvoisin
At 64 years old, Gerard Beauvoisin, from North End, Portsmouth, has been running for nearly four decades.
Team Kerr Takes on AJ Bell Great South Run
Team Kerr, from County Down, Northern Ireland, is taking on the AJ Bell Great South Run on Sunday 20 October.
Hoyle Family Takes on Junior & Mini Challenge
The Hoyle family is excited to participate in this year’s AJ Bell Junior & Mini Great South Run.
Runners, Ready? Gladiators to Host Junior & Mini Great Scottish Run
Runners, ready? It’s official, stars of the BBC’s Gladiators, Sabre & Apollo, will be joining the fun this Saturday 5 October.
Official Starters Confirmed for AJ Bell Great Scottish Run
Scotland Internationalists and Glasgow Warriors teammates Duncan Weir & Kyle Steyn will ring the official start bell at the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run.
NF1 Super Warriors Conall and Kayden’s Race to Race Awareness
It’s a full weekend of running at this year’s AJ Bell Great Scottish Run for Mum Kirsty and sons Conall 8 and Kayden 4.
