Mo Farah retains mojo for London Half Marathon title

Much to the delight of the local fans, legendary Mo Farah has recreated his long-enduring magic to retain the London Big Half Marathon title on Sunday. The 35-year-old Somalia-born British Olympic legend outpaced Bashir Abdi of Belgium and Daniel Wanjiru of Kenya to clinch the title in a thrilling sprint finish in London in front of his home fans.

The 2018 Chicago Marathon champion clocked a time of 61 minutes and 14 seconds as he got the better of his training partner Abdi and former London Marathon champion Wanjiru.

Second-placed Abdi clocked 61:16 while Wanjiru came third in 61:17.

Britain's Mo Farah poses with the London Big Half Marathon trophy after winning the men's race in London, UK, March 10, 2019. /VCG Photo

After his remarkable victory, Farah, the most successful British track athlete in modern Olympic Games history, said: "The conditions weren't great today so I'm pleased to win, although it would have been nice to run a bit faster and really test myself. I'm happy with the win and with how my preparations are going ahead of the London Marathon in April."

The gold medal winner at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympicsin both the 5,000m and 10,000m added, "The London Marathon is still quite a long way away but I'm happy with my progress and it was nice to be able to race today."

Farah has already hinted that he may run in the 10,000m at the world championships in Doha later this year and is reportedly contemplating a comeback at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Meanwhile, the women's race was won by defending champion Charlotte Purdue in 70:38 while Steph Twell came second in 71:33 and Charlotte Arter third in 71:44.

(CGTN)