Sir Mo Farah to give London Marathon ‘one more shot’ and says 2023 likely to be final year of career | Athletics News

“I was gutted not to race last year and I just want to give one more shot”; Sir Mo Farah is preparing for the final London Marathon in April and said his long career is likely to end in 2023; The 39-year-old did not rule out competing for Team GB later in the year

Sir Mo Farah finished third in the London Marathon in 2019

Sir Mo Farah will say goodbye to the London Marathon in April, after admitting that this year’s event will be his last.

Farah has been confirmed on the entry list for this year’s men’s elite race after missing last year’s event due to injury.

He will be 40 when the London Marathon comes up on April 23 and he wants at least one last hurray in front of his home fans.

“It’s been an amazing career and taking part in the London Marathon is a big deal,” said Britain’s most successful track athlete.

“I was gutted not to race last year and I just want to give it one more time. It depends on me. I just want to get to the starting line and see if I can manage. I only take one race at a time.

“I’m not a spring chicken anymore. You can’t keep coming back in the right shape and, for me, I’m happy to finish at home.

“We’re nearing the end of my career, that’s for sure.”

Farah’s best finish in a home race came in 2018 when he finished third

Next year, Paris hosts the Olympics and it is unlikely that Farah will make a fourth Team GB appearance. But he can still represent his country, with the World Championships being held in Budapest later this year.

“I’m not going to the Olympics and I think 2023 will be my last year,” he said.

“But if it comes to the end of the year and you’ve been selected for your country, I won’t say no.

“But like I said, I’m just doing one race at a time and preparing for the London Marathon, which is huge.”

Farah last appeared in London in 2019, when he finished fifth, after finishing third in 2018.

“It’s been a little different. During my career, I’ve always approached every race knowing you have to do the right training.

“So it’s been a while. But I’m going to prepare well, I’m going to go out to Ethiopia and do some solid training and see what I can do in April.”