Dominant Sir Mo secures fifth consecutive win in Great North Run

Sir Mo Farah delivered a dominant performance to claim a record-breaking fifth consecutive victory in the Great North Run yesterday.

Farah led from the front to cross the line in an impressive 59.26 minutes, just four seconds short of the personal best he had set in winning his second title in 2015.

Farah shrugged off New Zealand’s Jake Robertson in the final section of the race as he set himself up in style for his attempt to win his first major marathon crown in Chicago next month.

A strong performance had been expected of the 35-year-old who admitted he had never felt better prepared at a time of the season when he is usually beginning to wind down.

Farah said: “I’m training longer now; my endurance is good but the head-wind over the last two miles was tough.”

Women’s pre-race favourite Vivian Cheruiyot, having dropped Joyciline Jepkosgei, led into the run-in clear of Brigid Koskei.

Cheruiyot won in a personal best 67.43, nine seconds clear of Kosgei.

Jepkosgei rallied hanging on to third place chased by Linet Masai to complete the all-Kenyan top four.

Fife AC’s Sheena Logan placed 25th in the elite field clocking 83.02.

David Weir celebrated his seventh wheelchair race win in a course record 41.16.

European 1,500m champion Laura Muir ended her season on a high with victory at the Great North City Games mile at Stockton-on-Tees

A week after winning the Diamond League 1,500m title in Brussels Muir used her strong kick to surge away and win in a time of 4 minutes 33 seconds shading Susan Krumins (Netherlands) with the same time and Jessica Judd – 4:35.

Kilbarchan’s Jemma Reekie placed fourth in 4:36 while Eilish McColgan (Dundee Hawkhill) was fifth in 4:38.

“I wouldn’t have been happy with any other result today,” said Muir.

“I put in quite a big kick quite far out and had to try and maintain that to the finish.”

Jordan Williamsz (Australia) won the men’s race in 4.11 a time shared by runner-up Abdalaati Iguider (Morocco).

The Newcastle/Gateshead quayside events saw GB 400m athlete Dwayne Cowan win the 500m (59.84) with Lasswade’s 800m specialist Guy Learmonth 6th (60.93). In the women’s 500m, 400m runner Anyika Onuora’s 66.94 headed 800m Scottish record holder Lynsey Sharpe’s 67.73.

Retiring Greg Rutherford, former Olympic, world, Commonwealth and European long jump champion, sailed into the sand for the final time with 7.38m as Middlesbrough’s Jack Roach won with 7.41m.

Commonwealth 100m champion Michelle-Lee Ahye (Trinidad and Tobago) won the 150m (16.49).

European 100m silver medallist Reece Prescod won the men’s 150m clocking 14.87.

Picture: PA. Sir Mo Farah celebrates his victory.