Mo Farah has announced that this year’s London Marathon will be his last race over the marathon distance, but he plans to continue competing in other events. The long distance running legend made the announcement during a press conference on Thursday, where he also talked about the emotional significance of the race for him.
Despite his retirement from the marathon, Farah is expected to put on a great show at the event, which is set to take place on Sunday, April 24th. However, the London Marathon may face potential protests during the race, as environmental campaigners plan to disrupt the event to raise awareness of the use of fossil fuels.
One of the groups that may attempt to disrupt the race is Just Stop Oil, which has previously targeted sports and cultural events to draw attention to its cause.
The group’s protests have attracted criticism for disrupting daily life, delaying emergency services, and damaging cultural heritage. Nevertheless, the Metropolitan Police has assured the public that it is prepared for potential anti-social behavior on Sunday.
Farah, for his part, expressed his trust in the race organizers to put on a great event and emphasized the importance of the mass race, which is about people running for loved ones, charities, and making a difference in people’s lives. He acknowledged that the last two years have been emotional for him, as his body has not allowed him to perform at his best in training.
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Sunday’s race will also be a full circle moment for Farah, who recalls running the mini-marathon in London when he was still a teenager. The London Marathon is set to begin with the wheelchair and elite events before the mass start follows at around 10 a.m. local time.
