CLASH OF THE GIANTS
Hawkins will go toe-to-toe with Farah
Callum Hawkins is preparing to pit his wits against the very best as he lines up against Olympic legend Sir Mo Farah.
Britain’s two fastest ever half- marathon runners will lock horns at The Big Half in London on Sunday, March 4.
The new half-marathon event will help form part of the duo’s preparation for the London Marathon the following month, while Hawkins will be aiming to extend his stunning form in the capital after finishing fourth in the World Championships marathon earlier this year.
For Hawkins, the race will also help him gear up for the next summer’s Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
And the Kilbarchan AAC runner admits he can’t wait to fight it out with Farah.
He said: “I am really looking forward to The Big Half now I know I will get the chance to race Mo again.
“I’ve made no secret of the fact that I love testing myself against the very best athletes in the world and they don’t come any better than Mo.
“Racing in London is always so special. The crowds are amazing and it has brought the best out of me in the past.
“I qualified for the Rio Olympics at the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon which was really my breakthrough race, and then finished fourth in the marathon at the 2017 London World Championships.
“So I’m always confident when racing in the capital, and I’m hoping I can enjoy more success in March.”
The Big Half is a one-day festival centred around the half-marathon distance.
The half-marathon event starts from Tower Bridge and finishes in front of the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, while other events on the day include The Little Half, which is a 2.4 mile event for participants of all ages and abilities.
Farah insists it is good for the sport that the pair will get the opportunity to face one another over course, as he looks to herald a new generation.
He said: “I am thrilled to be part of The Big Half.
“It will be an ideal preparation race for me for the London Marathon six weeks later. Everyone knows I love running on the streets of London and I look forward to this new event.
“It’s fantastic for British athletics that we now have a new generation of runners, like Callum, coming through who are able to compete at the top end of world-class races.
“I hope my achievements over the years have shown them what is possible.”
Hugh Brasher, event director of The Big Half, added: “It is great for British distance running that we now have an athlete of the calibre of Callum Hawkins who can provide a very real domestic competition for Sir Mo. I can’t wait for the race on Sunday, March 4.”