Mo Farah: Four-time Olympic champion fourth in final London race at The Big Half - 'It was quite emotional'

ByJames Hilsum

Updated 03/09/2023 at 14:35 GMT

It was a poignant day for one of the all-time greatest British athletes in London, as Mo Farah crossed the finish line at The Big Half. The 40-year-old came fourth behind race winner Jack Rowe, while Mahamed Mahamed and Andrew Butchart finished second and third respectively. Attention now turns to Farah's final race in the Great North Run on September 10.

Four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah has run his final race in London after coming fourth in The Big Half.

Jack Rowe won with a personal best time of 1:01:08, while Farah just missed out on the top three with a time of 1:02:43.

The podium was completed by Mahamed Mahamed, who finished eight seconds behind Rowe despite leading for most of the race, while Andrew Butchart (1:02:15) came third.

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Farah’s last race comes next Sunday in the Great North Run, marking the end of a glorious career that also includes six world titles.

The 40-year-old holds the British records for the 1500m, 5000m, 10,000m, half marathon and marathon.

"It was quite emotional because I haven't been feeling well this week as I've got a bit of a cold," Farah told BBC Sport.

"I wasn't sure if I could do the race but I was thinking of all the people that came out here and that I'm not going to get another chance.

"I came out today and gave my best but you can't take anything away from Jack. He's been working hard for the last three years and he deserved that win.

"When you achieve everything, it must come to an end at some point. I'm getting on a bit."

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Farah appears true to his word after explaining that 2023 would be his final year of racing in an interview back in January, and is keen to explore a coaching role within the sport.

He said: “I’m not going to go to the Olympics [in Paris next year] and I think 2023 will be my last year.

“I have my coaching licence and would love to go down that route and give back, particularly to British athletes."

Elsewhere, Calli Thackery was victorious in the elite women's race in 1:09:15, ahead of Abbie Donnely and Lily Partride, who registered times of 1:10:31 and 1:12:25 respectively.

• Hodgkinson secures 800m silver on final night, both GB 4x400m relay teams win bronze
• Pattison claims 800m bronze, GB women take 4x100m third, GB men and women through to 4x400m finals

Meanwhile, David Weir won the men’s wheelchair race ahead of Danny Sidbury and Johnboy Smith in the second and third place respectively.

The women’s wheelchair race was won by Samantha Kinghorn, ahead of both Eden Rainbow-Cooper and Mel Woods.

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