Mo Farah will return to the streets of Newcastle on September 7 to take part in the Bupa Great North Run for the second consecutive year.
A scintillating finish saw the 31-year-old finish one second behind Ethiopian distance-running great Kenenisa Bekele in last year’s race, but he has his sights firmly set on going one better this time round.
“Last year was a great race with Kenenisa and Haile over the half marathon. I would like to come back and win this year,” Farah said.
Adding: “I’m looking forward to returning to the North East to run my second Bupa Great North Run. I have been part of the weekend several times in the past, taking part in the mile and two miles races at the Great North CityGames on the Quayside.”
Farah originally planned to compete in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games but withdrew from the competition due to an illness that set him back in training.
After a solid block of training in Font Romeu though, he is set to compete in the 5,000m and 10,000m at the European Championships, which starts next week.
2014’s edition of the Great North Run will mark the first event in history to celebrate its millionth finish.
Brendan Foster, chairman of event organisers Nova, said he was “thrilled” that Farah would part of the event’s historic feat.
Foster added: “One thing’s for sure; Mo will be desperate to be first over the finish line in South Shields.”
Farah won’t have it all his way though. Reigning world and Olympic marathon champion Stephen Kiprotich will also be on the start line, with further names to be added to the list soon.
