Farah sets new European best in half-marathon
DOUBLE Olympic champion Mo Farah enjoyed an early birthday present as he won the Lisbon Half Marathon in a new European record time yesterday.
The long-distance runner clocked 59 minutes and 32 seconds as he pipped Kenyan Micah Kogo. The time was 20 seconds quicker than Spaniard Fabian Roncero’s previous best over 13.1 miles, set in 2001, and saw Farah become the first Briton to run the distance in less than an hour.
Farah, who turns 32 today, has broken records at both of his races so far this year. The 5,000m and 10,000m London 2012 gold medallist set a new two-mile indoor record at the Birmingham Grand Prix last month.
“It feels amazing, I got massive support from the crowd,” said Farah. “It wasn’t easy, the race organisers put in a great field. To win here was hard, but it’s my birthday tomorrow so it’s a good birthday present. I feel so happy to break the British record and European record.”
British duo David Weir and Shelly Woods added to the British success by winning the men’s and women’s wheelchair races.