Sir Mo Farah prepares for his final competitive race at the Great North Run

Sir Mo Farah will cross the final finish line of his professional career on Sunday as he takes on the iconic AJ Bell Great North Run for the last time.

The four-time Olympic Champion and six-time World Champion is also a six-time winner of the event.

Farah said:

“I have so many incredible memories of racing at the Great North Run, I didn’t win in 2013 but there was so much support for me all along the course. Even at the finish line in the pouring rain, all I can remember was people shouting my name, it made me even more determined to come back and do them proud.

“From 2014 onwards I won the event in front of that incredible crowd six times. There were some really tough races, but the phenomenal support always saw me through.

“It’s fitting the AJ Bell Great North Run will be my last ever race as an elite athlete. It will definitely be emotional, but I’m so happy to have the opportunity to celebrate the end of my professional career on that famous finish line.”

Farah will be joined on the start line by 60,000 other runners, all with their own reasons for taking on the legendary 13.1 mile challenge from Newcastle to South Shields. His own personal story, that took him from Somalia to the UK and on to the global stage, has captured the hearts of millions.

In recognition of that extraordinary journey, this year the event is celebrating the #powerofrunning to change lives in ways both big and small.

Charlie Musson, brand and PR director at AJ Bell, said:

"The Great North Run is an iconic sporting event and AJ Bell is honoured to be supporting it for the next five years.

“This year we have the added attraction of it being Sir Mo Farah’s last ever competitive race so people have the opportunity to come and cheer on a true legend of British sport for the last time. It’s set to be a fantastic event once again, with 60,000 runners aiming for personal milestones and raising millions of pound for great causes.”

Sir Brendan Foster, Founder of the Great North Run said:

“After three challenging years we’re really looking forward to celebrating Sir Mo Farah’s last ever professional race with a business-as-usual Great North Run.

“We know how much the people of the region have taken Mo to their hearts and we hope as many people as possible come out to cheer him on and give our greatest ever sportsman the send-off he deserves.”

The 42nd AJ Bell Great North Run takes place on Sunday 10 September. The event will be televised live on BBC One from 10:00 – 14:00.

For more information visit greatrun.org/north.

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