Farah claims fourth straight Great North Run crown

Sir Mo Farah made history once again yesterday as he won his fourth successive Great North Run title.

Great Britain’s four-time Olympic champion overcame the challenge of Jake Robertson of New Zealand in the closing stages of the race to finish in a time of one hour and six seconds.

Farah becomes the first athlete to win the Great North Run four times in a row, and is now level in terms of most victories with Kenya’s Benson Masya, who was champion four times in the 1990s.

He said: That was really, really tough. I’m sore everywhere – I’ve never been this sore!

“(Doing less training than he normally would) was definitely telling. With four miles to go I was just hanging on, gritting my teeth.

“As we got closer, I managed to believe in myself and dig, and I was thinking ‘if I can just sit on him (Robertson), at the end I Mo Farah admitted to being “sore” after his Great North Run victory. can sprint’. I’m so pleased with how the season has gone. I’ll go on a little holiday with the missus and then come back fresh.

“It’s time to move on to the road from the track, I’m excited by the new challenge ahead.

“My next big one is the London Marathon in April.”

Robertson chased home just six seconds adrift with Ethiopian Feyisa Lilesa Lilisa third in 61.32.

Robertson’s twin brother Zane finished fourth with leading UK runner Dewi Griffiths seventh, clocking a personal best 62.53.

Shettleston Harrier Tsegai Tewelde was ninth in 63.14.

Ethiopia’s Mary Keitany won the women’s race for a third time, with compatriot and 2016 champion Vivian Cheruiyot second and Caroline Kipkirui of Kenya third.

Fourth place went to another Kenyan, Magdalyne Masai, who had further reason for joy after Robertson proposed to her at the finish line after his race.

Former Dundee Hawkhill athlete Lily Partridge, now of Aldershot FD, was seventh in 72.10. Fife AC’s Sheena Logan excelled in the elite women’s race, finishing 20th in 83.37.