Mo Farah to bid farewell to marathon career at London Marathon.

(ANSA) – LONDON, APR 22 – “It will be the last for me,” said four-time British Olympic champion Mo Farah, who will bid farewell to his audience tomorrow at the London Marathon.
“This will be my last marathon, then I will compete in a few more races, but not marathons,” reiterated the two-time Olympic champion in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters.
“I run because I owe it to the British public and to those who accompanied me during this long journey. I will try to do my best and I am sure the fans will support me,” added Farah, third in the 2018 London Marathon.
Preceded by an injury that afflicted him in recent months, the goal of the athlete of Somali origin is none other than “to have fun, although I know that the last 10 kilometers will not be easy,” he warned.
While the six-time world champion (three in the 5,000 and as many in the 10,000) prepares his farewell at age 40, the Kenyan Amos Kipruto, ten years younger, is inspired by him to defend his crown in this test.
“Mo was always a source of inspiration for the younger generations,” said Kipruto, who will compete for glory with his compatriot Kelvin Kiptum, 23 and one of the great favorites after establishing himself as the third fastest athlete in history in a marathon in Valencia, last December.
“I’d watch Farah run since I was a kid and as well as being a great athlete, he’s one of the role models I was inspired by,” Kiptum said.
In this edition of the London Marathon, there will be five specialists among the fastest in history, all the more reason not to dare to predict a candidate for victory.
“London has always had a very high level and this year will not be the exception. I will have to fight hard to retain the title,” said Kipruto, who will be the only winner of this Marathon present in this edition.
We will also have to watch out for the Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele, who was on the podium in 2016 and 2017, as well as the Kenyan Vincent Kimpchumba, second in 2020 and 2021.
Geoffrey Kamworor, also from Kenya, could surprise, as he won two editions of the New York Marathon and also stood on the podium twice in Berlin.
Among the ladies, the prognosis is also uncertain because there are several candidates, including the winner in 2019 and 2020, the Kenyan Brigid Kosgei, who at 29 aspires to celebrate for the third time, although she does not arrive in her best shape.
“I was well prepared, but a few weeks ago I felt pain in the hamstrings and in one knee. I don’t think it’s serious, but with so many renowned rivals it will be difficult.
I will try to give my best,” he said.
Among those rivals that Kosgei mentioned is the Ethiopian Yalemzerf Yehualaw, winner last year, but also the Kenyan Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir and the Dutch Sifan Hassan (gold medal in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters in Tokyo). , which will make its debut in the marathon. (ANSA).