Nyakundi Report notes that Mo Farah has become the first major entrant for the 2019 London Marathon, with organisers confirming his return on Tuesday.
The Somalia-born Briton, who is 35, moved away from the track after the world championships last year and turned his attention fully to the marathon. That switch has already produced results: in October, he won the Chicago Marathon in 2hrs 05mins 11secs, a new European record.
Farah’s track record remains formidable. He is a quadruple Olympic champion, having completed the 5,000 metres and 10,000m double in 2012 and 2016, and he is also a six-time world track champion.
In a statement released by the race organisers for the April 28 event, Farah said: "I'm delighted to confirm I'll be returning to race the London Marathon again next year," Farah said in a statement issued by the organisers of the April 28 race.
He added that racing in London remained especially meaningful because of the home support and the atmosphere on the streets he knows well. Farah said the race gives him a chance to run in front of his fans on his home roads.
Farah also pointed to the progress he made during the year, including finishing third in London in April and then taking his first major marathon victory in Chicago in October. He said those results, together with the British and European records, had strengthened his belief that he can compete with the best marathon runners in the world.
His European mark still trails the world best of 2hr 1min 39sec, set by Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge in Berlin this year. Farah said London traditionally assembles a world-class field and expected the 2019 race to be no different.
