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Sir Mo Farah insisted he would only enter the London Marathon if he thought he could be competitive after being forced out of the event last year with a hip injury after an impressive win in the maiden race of the “Big Half” over 13.1 miles.
Farah was beaten over 10,000m by club runner Ellis Cross last May but was then matched by Bashir Abdi, the Olympic marathon bronze medalist who eventually finished third in London, during training before the injury. This year will see Farah return to the marathon for the first time since 2018.
“I just want to give it one more go and it all depends on my body to see what I can do,” Farah said. “I’m not a spring chicken. I wish I could finish home. It’s good to say ‘goodbye’ and I think it will be quite exciting. At the same time, I just think in my mind: ‘Now get ready for London and see where I am’ Not long before I retire, for sure.
“I wouldn’t want to compete unless I’m competing with the guys. It’s one race at a time. I don’t think I’ll go to another Olympics. But, at the same time, I’d like to be able to just see what I can do.
“2023 will probably be my last year. But, if it comes down to it towards the end of the year, and you are capable and chosen for your country, then I would never turn it down.”
When is it?
The London Marathon will take place on Sunday 23rd April 2023.
What time does it start?
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8.30am BST: London Mini Marathon
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8.50am: Elite wheelchair racing
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9:00 am: Women’s Elite race
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09:30: Elite men’s race and mass start
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Sir Mo Farah finished eighth in the Port Gentil 10km race in Gabon on April 8, just 15 days before what is expected to be his last London Marathon.
The four-time Olympic gold medalist crossed the finish line in a time of 30 minutes 41 seconds, two and a half minutes behind race leader Vincent Kipkemoi of Kenya who finished with a time of 28 minutes 11 seconds in a field dominated by East Africans – 10 of the top 12 finalists were from Kenya.
Farah, who announced his probable retirement from the sport in January for the end of the year, has been training in Ethiopia ahead of this year’s London Marathon.
After finishing third in London in 2018, the British runner was unable to return to the marathon after a hip injury last year prevented him from participating.
The 40-year-old will be joined by an impressive lineup, including four of the five fastest men in history. While four-time London Marathon winner and world record holder Eliud Kipchoge will be absent, the likes of Kenenisa Bekele, Birhanu Legese and defending champion Amos Kipruto will compete.
What is the path?
The world-famous London Marathon route has remained largely unchanged since the inaugural race in 1981 and includes many of the capital’s most fascinating landmarks, old and new. The course is very flat with only a small rise.
The triple start runs from Greenwich Park and Blackheath Park, through Greenwich and across Tower Bridge. Circling Canary Wharf, the route runs along the Thames past the Tower of London through Trafalgar Square and onto The Mall where you’ll end up in front of Buckingham Palace. The course is one of the fastest in the world.
What are the best vantage points?
Here’s what the official London Marathon website suggests…
If you want to follow your loved ones and try to catch a glimpse of them as they pass, we suggest that you avoid very crowded areas, where it can be difficult to find an observation point, difficult to move around and difficult to get in and out of.
Busy areas include downtown Greenwich and the Cutty Sark. While the vessel is undoubtedly a beautiful backdrop for the race, the crowds that are drawn here can make spectators uncomfortable, and transportation in and around Greenwich gets especially busy. We strongly advise spectators to avoid this area.
Tower Bridge is always extremely busy, as is everywhere from mile mark 24 to the finish line in The Mall. Of course many of you will eventually end up in this area later in the day as you make your way to the runners meet and greet area on Horse Guards Road.
How will transportation be affected?
Roads will likely be closed in south east and central London between 4am and 7pm, while buses in central London and Greenwich will likely end early or be rerouted between 6.30am and 7.30pm. DLR operate a modified service until 5pm.
What TV channel is it on?
Sunday’s elite racing and mass participation event will be broadcast live on the BBC from 08.30am, as well as on Red Button and iPlayer.
You can of course also follow the full live with us via our live blog.
What are the current marathon records?
2h 1min 9sec is the men’s best time, set by Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge in Berlin in 2022.
Brigid Kosgei set the women’s world record of 2 hours 14 minutes 4 seconds at the 2019 Chicago Marathon.
