Monday, September 12, 2016
Mo Farah (GBR) of Britain bites the gold medal at the Olympics. (Reuters/Alessandro Bianchi)
Britain's Mo Farah has claimed an unprecedented third consecutive victory in the Great North Run half-marathon in northeast England. His marathon victory makes him the first man to win the Great North Run three times in a row.
The four-time Olympic champion pulled clear of America's Dathan Ritzenhein to complete the course between Newcastle and South Shields in a time of one hour and four seconds.
Kenya's Vivian Cheruiyot won the women's race in her first half-marathon, edging out compatriot Priscah Jeptoo.
"I knew it was going to be a hard race today," Farah said after crossing the finish line on Sunday afternoon. "To be honest, I'm knackered. I can hardly talk.
"It's good to finish on a high here. What a year I've had. I just have to go home now and chill out and see the kids."
Farah's victory in the world's biggest half-marathon came after he completed a second consecutive Olympic double in the 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres in Rio de Janeiro.
Farah, 33, endeared himself to the large crowds watching by mimicking the goal celebration of former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer as he finished, raising his right hand in the air.
The Great North Run is the world's biggest half marathon and there were more than 41,000 runners taking part in this year's event from 178 nations.
Farah's triumph follows accusations made by his wife, Tania, who also ran in the race, that he was "humiliated" by an airline attendant in the United States who sent him to the back of the queue. Other reports said the Farah family had arrived late for first-class boarding.