Sir Mo Farah says 'sport saved me' after finishing final race of illustrious career at Great North Run
The British athlete, who is considered one of the greatest runners of all time, is retiring from the sport in order to enjoy himself and spend more time watching his beloved Arsenal Football Club.
Sunday 10 September 2023 20:40, UK
Sir Mo Farah said "sport saved me" as he finished the final race of his career in fourth place in the Great North Run.
The four-time Olympic gold medallist, who announced in April he would be retiring, ended his illustrious career in the North East half marathon run.
He finished the 13.1 mile race in 1:03:28 with Ethopia's Tamirat Tola winning the men's elite race, finishing just shy of the hour mark with a time of 59 minutes and 58 seconds.
Sir Mo, 40, who has previously won the race from Newcastle to South Shields six times, was greeted by crowds lining the Coast Road, offering high-fives as he approached the finish line.
After the race he told Sky News: "In my early days, and what I went through as a child, sport has saved me, to become the man I have become.
"Without sports and having the people in my life that I have, I wouldn't be here today.
"It's been an amazing journey when I look back, there's been so many messages from people all over the world saying thank you," Sir Mo continued.
"It's a joy to see that because I just enjoyed what I did and I committed and continued to push myself to win medals again and again.
"To look back from the other side now and see people saying to you, this is what you've given us, this is what you've done is incredible to see."
'One Mo Time': British long-distance runner savoured occasion of last race
When Sir Mo Farah crossed the finish line in his last race at the Great North Run today, there wasn鈥檛 the sprint finish to victory we鈥檝e seen so many times before - but you got the sense it didn鈥檛 matter.
With so many memories made and so many medals won, you could tell he just wanted to savour the occasion.
He crossed his arms in a Union Jack, before a lap of honour that saw him stop to take selfies with the crowd, many of whom had been given special signs that read: "One Mo Time," and "This is your Mo-ment".
Speaking to journalists after the race he said: "I just wanted to connect with them.
"I just wanted to give them high-fives and say thank you for the support they've given over the years."
He was also visibly emotional as he recalled moments from his career and his life.
After the race and a round of media engagements were over, Sir Mo wandered through the media area, where there was one moment that told the story of his impact more than any other today.
He stopped to speak to a 10-year-old aspiring runner whose family were from Ethiopia in east Africa, which borders Somalia where he was born.
Between pictures, he decided to encourage her.
"Promise me you're going to work hard," he said, with his trademark smile as wide as ever.
Read more:
Final race will be 'very emotional' - Sir Mo Farah
Sir Mo Farah reveals 'the truth' about how he came to the UK
Sir Mo said it was time for him to "take a break" and retire from running, in order to enjoy himself and watch his football team, Arsenal Football Club, who he revealed he'd like to work for in some capacity.
Memorable highs and recent struggles
Considered one of the greatest runners of all time, Sir Mo has garnered the titles of 'double double' Olympic champion, World champion in the 10,000m and 5,000m and six-time European Champion throughout his career.
One of the most memorable highlights throughout Sir Mo's career was winning two gold medals at the London 2012 Olympics in front of a home crowd.
On a day dubbed "Super Saturday", Sir Mo won the 10,000m on the same night fellow Team GB athletes Jessica Ennis-Hill (heptathlon) and Greg Rutherford (long jump) also struck gold.
"You're doing it right in front of your hometown, and the stadium is going crazy, as it is 75,000 people shouting out your name," he recalled.
"I got to the front, the people are shouting your name and when I'd got to the back it'd be a little quieter. Honestly, that's what keeps me getting out of bed year after year, it's that moment."
The success landed Sir Mo as a household name who transcended athletics, with the 'Mobot' - when the athlete raises his hands above his head in a 'M' shape after a win - becoming an iconic symbol of his success.
In 2016, Sir Mo completed a historic double double, defending his titles from London - despite falling in the 10,000m.
Recent years have proved difficult for the long-distance runner, after his failure to qualify for the delayed Tokyo Games in 2021 was followed by injury troubles.
He also had to pull out of the London Marathon in 2022 due to a hip injury.
Difficult childhood
Away from running, last year, Sir Mo revealed he was "trafficked" into the UK illegally under the name of another child.
The athlete said that he decided to speak out about his past last year because of his family.
"Really it was my family who did it for me," he said, "because my kids were asking me questions every day. I owed it to them and owed it to myself to be honest with them."
"I don't think any child should go through what I did. Child trafficking is a huge problem and for me, it was more of a self-release, even though I'm this man I am, a guy who wins everything, I was struggling mentally."
Sir Mo married Tania Farah in 2010. The couple has three children together and a stepdaughter from a previous relationship of Mrs Farah's.