Everything we know about Mo Farah’s London Marathon absence

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Sir Mo Farah won’t be competing in today’s London Marathon after a hip injury sustained in the last 10 days ruled him out. The 39-year-old Brit has squashed retirement rumours and vowed to return in April, when the event returns to its usual date on the calendar.

The four-time Olympic gold medallist says he was in good shape ahead of the his home marathon and was left disappointed by the late injury. He said: “I’ve been training really hard over the past few months and I’d got myself back into good shape and was feeling pretty optimistic about being able to put in a good performance at the TCS London Marathon.

“However, over the past 10 days I’ve been feeling pain and tightness in my right hip. I’ve had extensive physio and treatment and done everything I can to be on the start line but it hasn’t improved enough to compete on Sunday.”

Farah whose Olympic gold medals came on the track has never won London Marathon with his best placing coming in 2018 when he completed the 26.2 miles in a time of two hours, six minutes and 22 seconds which placed him third. He went a minute quicker than that in the same year posting a national record in Chicago of 2:05.11.

Farah had shown his form in preparation for the London Marathon winning the Big Half in London last month completing the half-marathon event in 1:01.49. Farah added: “It’s really disappointing to have to withdraw after a good last few months and after my win at The Big Half but also because I love racing in front of my home crowd in London who always give all of us athletes such amazing support.

“I wish everyone taking part on Sunday a good run and I hope to be back out there with you in April 2023.” London Marathon race director Hugh Brasher hopes that Farah will return to the elite men’s event next year.

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She added: “We are so sorry that Sir Mo is not fit to run on Sunday. We wish him a very speedy recovery and hope to see him running the 2023 TCS London Marathon in April next year.”

The London Marathon is being held in October for the third time after being moved due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the event will return to its traditional April date next year being held on Sunday, April 23.

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