Beaten Farah’s not sure if he is in the running for Worlds
SIR Mo Farah was non-committal about his future plans after being beaten by club runner Ellis Cross on his return to action at the Vitality London 10,000.
Farah was racing for the first time since failing to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics last June while battling a foot injury and was unable to outkick 26-year-old Cross over the final stages.
Farah, 39, finished a minute outside his best time on the road set over the same course in 2010 and declined to say whether he will target the World Championships in Eugene in July.
The four-time Olympic champion said: “Your body has to be ready.
“You have to be in the right frame of mind. You have to be able to compete with the guys.
“Today was a tough day. Ellis did really well to win here but you have to see where you are.
“At the minute I don’t even know. You have to take it race by race and let the body see what it can do. I’m not getting any younger, am I?”
A leading group which also included Chris Thompson was whittled down to two, the unfancied Cross emerging victorious in a time of 28 minutes 40 seconds and Farah second in 28mins 44secs.
Having made the switch to the marathon, Farah turned his attention back to the track in 2020 with an Olympic swansong in his sights.
However, this performance does little to indicate whether he can return to an elite level of running.
Farah added: “I did put some good blocks of training together but it’s been so, so long - nine months since my last race.
“I love the sport and I love what I do. I’ve had a long career but there are a lot of youngsters who are coming through, which is nice to see.”
Cross was left stunned by the outcome, saying: “I didn’t believe it until 20 metres from the finish.
“I was like, ‘He’s just going to outkick me, that’s just that’. I can’t explain the feeling. It’s overwhelming.
“The most inspiring thing for myself is I’ve beaten somebody who is an idol.
“Mo is known around the world and I’ve just beaten him over his prime distance.
“I didn’t quite follow the script today but to pull it off, I’m delighted.”
Victory in the women’s race went to Eilish McColgan, who finished just two seconds shy of Paula Radcliffe’s British record in 30:23.
The Scot has had a great start to the season, having broken Radcliffe’s British half-marathon record in February before improving her own five kilometres record in Malaga last weekend.
McColgan said: “I’m really happy with today.
“’I’m disappointed to just miss Paula’s record it but hopefully I’ll have another couple of opportunities this year.”