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Sir Mo Farah is set to join the Great Manchester Run this year

One more time around the block. We're getting emotional just thinking about it.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 28th April 2023

Legendary Olympian Sir Mo Farah is set to join the Great Manchester Run one last time ahead of his retirement this September and we can’t wait to welcome him back to Manchester.

The Team GB icon has been one of our nation’s greatest-ever sports personalities for more than two decades, winning four Olympic goals medals, six World Championship titles and countless records, but the long-distance athlete is set to hang up his running shoes later this year.

However, before he does so, the Somali-born athletics star will be running his second and final Great Manchester Run as part of those taking on the 10k on 21 May.

With it not only being one of his last-ever runs as a professional but the 20th anniversary of the much-loved Manchester event, it’s truly set to be a historic day — and there’s still time to make sure you’re part of it.

Sir Mo hasn’t taken part in the Great Manchester Run since 2018 when he set an incredible time 28 minutes and 27 seconds, having sadly pulled out last year due to fitness and performance issues, but he’ll obviously be hoping to beat his pace before he calls it a day.

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Earning a knighthood for his services to sport, not to mention several British, European and World records — including the world’s best time for two-mile indoors (8:03.40) and the One Hour Run (21,330m) — he is considered by many as Britain’s greatest ever athlete and he’ll soon be gracing the streets of Manchester with his farewell lap in front of thousands of people.

Having recently completed his final London Marathon in ninth place with a time 2hr 10min 28sec, Mo said that he “wanted to cry”. The 2023 Great Manchester Run will be his second to last run before calling it a day with his final ever half-marathon at the race’s parent event, the Great North Run.

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What a career it’s been.

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Speaking ahead of the race on 21 May, Farah said: “There is something incredibly special about racing in Manchester, the support from the city for me has always been phenomenal.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the crowds out on the streets and the thousands of other runners who will be running the half marathon and 10k. It will probably be quite emotional, but I’m so happy to have the chance to race in Manchester again before I retire.”

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We can’t wait to see you there, Mo — you’ll be cheered on every step of the way and for those of us at The Manc that are taking part, we’ll do our best to keep up! (yeah, right…)

There’s still time to sign up HERE if you want to get involved and for everything else you need to know ahead of the big day, look no further:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — Supplied/Sir Mo Farah (via Instagram)