Mo targets World Half Marathon
21 January 2016
Mo Farah has made himself available for selection for the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the IAAF/Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championship.
The double Olympic gold medallist’s decision has been hailed as a huge coup for Cardiff and Wales.
Farah will join 200 of the world’s best distance athletes and up to 25,000 amateur runners to race the fast and flat course on Easter Saturday 26March.
Cardiff 2016 will be the first and possibly only time global athletics megastar Farah has raced on the streets of the Welsh capital, as he prepares to go for an unprecedented second 5,000m and 10,000m Olympic double in Rio this summer.
The University is sponsoring the event and involving staff and local communities to promote the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle.
Professor Colin Riordan, Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University, said: “I am delighted that Mo Farah is expected to run in the World Half Marathon Championship.
“It will be a privilege for spectators to see one of the world’s best athletes in action in Cardiff and a thrilling experience for amateur runners to be able to say that they have raced against him.
“With the increased exposure that Mo’s involvement brings, it is also an excellent opportunity to showcase the city of Cardiff and the University to a large international TV audience.”
Matt Newman, chief executive of event organisers Run 4 Wales, said: “We are absolutely thrilled Mo Farah has put himself forward for selection for the British Athletics team competing at the IAAF/Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championships on 26th March 2016.
“It’s a major coup for Cardiff 2016; Mo’s appearance has always been a key ambition for Run 4 Wales and this news will give a huge boost in the final nine weeks of preparation.”
Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates, said: “This is very exciting news for Cardiff and for Wales and raises The IAAF/Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championship to whole new level.
“I’m sure that his decision to take part will be such an inspiration to the thousands of amateurs and fun runners competing and will give them a chance to say ‘I raced with Mo Farah’.”
Cardiff 2016 promises to be the biggest athletics event held in Wales since the 1958 Empire and Commonwealth Games were held in the capital.
For more information about the latest offers for places to run IAAF/Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championships visit www.cardiff2016.co.uk or follow the event on Twitter @cardiff2016 and Facebook search IAAF/Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championships 2016.