Golden moment for runners as Mo pays a visit
GETTING training tips from fourtime Olympic gold medallist Sir Mo Farah must be up there with the best ways to prepare for a race.
That’s exactly what two families from Prestwich and Bolton were treated to as they got to chat to the world champion himself in preparation for the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run.
Mo told members of the Parry and Wilkinson families about the benefits of exercise when he surprised them during a visit to London.
The 34-year-old athlete said: “It was nice to meet the families, advising them in terms of training and other things.
“It’s really important to keep active as a family and I try to encourage my family to be active. Even my daughter, I try to encourage her to be active every day, or do some sort of exercise like swimming or other stuff. It just keeps your mind active.”
The Parry and Wilkinson clans will be tackling the Family Challenge at the event in May. It is designed to encourage families to get active together.
Organisers offer training plans, expert-led sessions and advice to get through the 10k, half marathon or junior and mini distance events.
Sara Parry will be running the 10k with her husband Dominic. Their children Keira, 14, Fraser, 11, Erica, 10, Heidi, eight, and Skylar, three, will tackle the junior and mini Great Manchester Run. She said: “To meet Mo Farah was absolutely amazing.
“He is such a positive and motivating person and genuinely kind. The children are still in awe at meeting such a great role model for fitness, family and fun.”
Caroline Wilkinson will take on the 10k challenge while her son Matthew, 11, will compete in the junior run.
Matthew, who runs for Bolton Harriers, said: “I am still in shock that I’ve met Mo in real life. Thank you very much for all the great tips.”
This year, the Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run will take place on Sunday, May 20. The course goes past Old Trafford, the Imperial War Museum North and the Lowry before finishing near the Beetham Tower on Deansgate.
The Mini and Junior events will be held on the same day so children can experience the buzz of the event with their parents and carers.
Visit Greatrun.org/Manchester to enter.