FARAH SEALS HAT-TRICK
OLYMPIC CHAMP SURVIVES TEST FROM DATHAN RITZENHEIN TO WIN THIRD TITLE ON TYNESIDE
REPORTS: JASON HENDERSON (MEN) & BEN COLDWELL (WOMEN) PICTURES: MARK SHEARMAN
A big lead group splinter from the pack early on in the Great North Run
MOFARAH was delighted to win his third consecutive Great North Run title last Sunday, but the race was a reminder of how tough life on the roads can be. The Olympic 5000m and 10,000m champion was stretched by long-time leader Dathan Ritzenhein and he had to run close to one-hour dead to secure victory ahead of the American.
“Dathan made it so hard for me,” said a relieved Farah, who clocked 60:04 to beat Ritzenhein by eight seconds. “I had to hang on for dear life and it was tough.”
The 33-year-old added: “With about three miles to go I thought ‘shall I let him go?’ but I told myself ‘no, hang in there’.
“I find the track much easier,” the multiple global 5000m and 10,000m gold medallist continued, “as I only feel the pain in the last one or two laps. In comparison, on the roads, it’s painful from about 4-6 miles into the race.”
Despite this, Ritzenhein feels Farah can be a force over the marathon by the time of the next Olympics. He should know, too, as he used to train with the Briton.
Mo Farah leads out the elite men at the gun
“Mo’s going to be good in the marathon,” he said. “You can’t run as fast as he’s done in the half-marathon and not be good. He shows up to the championship races (and performs) and I have no doubt that in 2020 he’ll be contending in the marathon.”