KIPCHOGE: DON’T CHUCK IT IN MO!
ELIUD KIPCHOGE has told Mo Farah not to throw in the towel after injury ruled him out of today’s TCS London Marathon.
A week after breaking his own world record Kipchoge is in the capital as guest of honour.
Farah, who turns 40 in March, was supposed to be headlining
London’s 42nd edition but withdrew late with a hip injury — casting doubt over whether he will now retire.
But Kipchoge, 37, said: “Age is a number. If you are training well and focused in the right direction on what you are doing, then you can continue to perform.
“Mo can still keep going, he can still win the best races. Injuries are part of the challenges of elite sport. I think he will come back stronger.”
In Farah’s absence, Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele, second only to Kipchoge on the all-time list with a best of 2:01.41, is the star turn.
With numerous world records, three Olympic and 17 world titles Bekele, 40, believes he deserves to be considered the greatest distance runner in history.
“I agree he is the best,” said the ever-modest Kipchoge. “He has a lot of medals in cross country, track, Olympics, and he has done well in the marathon.
“He has been a positive role model to me and the whole generation. He has won so much on track, winning gold medals in Olympics, world championships and cross country.”
Amos Kipruto, however, is the bookies’ favourite.