Farah wins at Glasgow indoor Grand Prix before 'Two Mo Miles' in Birmingham
Double Olympic and world champion Mo Farah (handicap -6.9) gave the sell-out crowds at the Glasgow Indoor Grand Prix plenty to cheer about as he won the 3,000m on Saturday before moving to Birmingham on Sunday to run two miles with fans of Britain’s greatest ever distance runner.
The 32-year-old was cheered all the way at the city’s Emirates Arena as he took to the track in his only indoor meeting of the season, holding off a challenge from Kenya’s Augustine Choge as he crossed the line in 7:39.55.
“It was a messy race, it was quick to begin with, then it slowed down a bit,” admitted Farah.
“It's important not to think too much about times when you have a strong field like today. I've got a few cuts but that's racing, it happens. The most important thing was to win the race in front of the home crowd.”
Afterwards, Mo travelled to Birmingham for the #TwoMoMiles run for 25 lucky fans. This was a thank you to Farah’s supporters and also heralded his return to the city for the Birmingham Diamond League on Sunday 5 June, where he will begin his countdown to Rio.
Athletics fans were invited to enter, by explaining why they would like to run with Mo, via British Athletics social media channels.
Farah said: “It’s not often people come and run with me because of the pace I go and where I train. These kids had to enter a competition and win it, so it was nice to get a chance to jog with them and talk to them. It’s exciting to be back and I’m really looking forward to competing here at the Birmingham Diamond League in June.”
Rob Duncan, a Paramedic from Pershore in Worcester, was one of the lucky winners. He said: “It’s been a fantastic experience to be able to run with Mo on the track here at the Alexander Stadium. He’s such a legend and I’m going to remember this for the rest of my life. I’m going to have a grin on my face for a long time to come.”
Saturday's Glasgow indoor Grand Prix produced another British win on the track as Sean Safo-Antwi powered home to victory in the men’s 60m clocking an impressive 6.56 seconds, just one hundredth of a second clear of the European Indoor champion Richard Kilty with Adam Gemili fourth in 6.62.
“I knew I was in good shape and I knew I really wanted to win. I haven’t lost yet this season so I came with that mentality and my aim was to win,” said Safo-Antwi.
There was a British one-two-three in the women’s long jump as Lorraine Ugen moved up to fifth in the world rankings with a winning leap of 6.80m. World silver medallist Shara Proctor managed a best of 6.76m while Jazmin Sawyers) finished third with 6.58m.
“I knew I needed the win today and perform well for the British crowd. I'm happy with my series in the second competition of the season, and I'm hoping to win in Sheffield. I'm hoping for a medal in Portland which would be a great confidence booster ahead of the Olympics,” said Ugen.
The Netherlands’ reigning 200m world champion Dafne Schippers stormed to a new stadium record in the women’s 60m, clocking 7.10 seconds to take the tape ahead of Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson.
Dina Asher-Smith, British 100m and 200m national record holder, finished in sixth place in 7.25 with Desiree Henry 0.02 seconds behind.
“I really wasn’t happy with that but there is plenty to work on,” said Asher-Smith after her race.
“I need to work on my pick up because I had a good start, but I lost it in the middle section. It isn’t a championships so it is good to learn from this and I’ll move onto the British Championships next week.”
Laura Muir (handicap -1.8) continued her recent run of form as she set a new indoor personal best to finish second behind Canada’s world silver medallist Melissa Bishop in the women’s 800m.
The Scottish fans raised the roof as Muir tried hard to catch Bishop down the home straight but the 22-year-old had to settle for second place and a time of 2:00.70. Adelle Tracey (handicap -1.0) finished sixth with Jenny Meadows (handicap -1.3) in eighth place.
“I really enjoyed it, it was tough and fast but good to be in a competitive atmosphere once again. I love competing on home soil so I was glad I could run a good time out there today,” said Muir.
Seren Bundy-Davies just missed out on victory in the women’s 400m after a terrific last lap saw the 21-year-old take to the front with 100m to go.
But the Welsh sprinter couldn’t hold on as she was caught on the line by Jamaica’s Commonwealth champion Stephanie Ann McPherson who took the tape in 52.05, with Bundy-Davies just 0.05 seconds behind.
“I think I did everything I could do tactically but I’m not as 200m based as them so it was always going to be stretching me,” said Bundy-Davies.
“I am happy because I haven’t really tapered down much for this race although it is annoying to be pipped on the line like that. The crowd were really good, I could hear them before I came out to race and they cheered every time I made a move, that’s why I love the British meets.”
Jarryd Dunn set a new indoor personal best (46.67) as he pushed hard down the home straight to secure third place in the men’s 400m. Reigning world indoor champion Pavel Maslak finished first in 46.02 with the USA’s Calvin Smith second.
Poland’s Adam Kszczot looked in fine form as he took victory in the men’s 800m. The world silver medallist set a new stadium record as he crossed the line in 1:46.99 with Michael Rimmer (handicap -5.4) the best of the Britons in fifth place (1:47.67).
Morocco’s Abdelaati Iguider also smashed the stadium record as he sprinted to victory in the men’s 1,500m. The 28-year-old clocked 3:34.94 to finish ahead of Djibouti’s world indoor champion, Ayanleh Souleiman (3:36.30). Lee Emanuel (handicap -4.7) finished fifth in 3:38.68, inside the qualifying standard required for next month’s IAAF World Indoor Championships in Portland, USA.
“I wanted a bit faster to try for a good time but it's my first race of the year so it was a good sign. I didn't feel great but it was a solid performance. I think I can make the final in Portland, I hope to run well at the trials and get picked,” said Emanuel.
Hannah England (handicap -0.4) also achieved the qualifying standard for the World Championships as she led the British field home in the women’s 1,500m, clocking 4:09.69 to finish fifth. The race was won by the Netherlands’ world bronze medallist Sifan Hassan who looked in dominant form as she set a new stadium record of 4:01.40.
Kenya’s Nancy Chepkwemoi knocked more than two seconds off the stadium record as she took the win in the women’s 3,000m in 8:49.06. Steph Twell (handicap -1.4) was the first Briton across the line, setting a new personal best 8:50.24 to finish fifth.
There was less than 0.1 seconds between the top three in the women’s 60m hurdles as world indoor bronze medallist Tiffany Porter) took the third spot in 7.99 seconds. The USA’s world leader Kendra Harrison won with a new stadium record of 7.92, with her compatriot Nia Ali second in 7.98.
Dimitri Bascou was on track to take the win in the men’s 60m hurdles but the Frenchman stumbled over the last hurdle and had to settle for third behind China’s Wenjun Xie (7.63) and the USA’s Kevin Craddock (7.71), while Lawrence Clarke clocked 7.75 for fifth.
Germany’s Paralympic champion Markus Rehm leapt 8.10m to take victory in the men’s long jump as Dan Bramble registered 7.83m with his fourth attempt to finish best of the Britons.
The USA’s Omar Craddock took the win in the men’s triple jump with a fourth round leap and new stadium record of 16.93m – the third best jump in the world so far this year. Great Britain’s Nathan Douglas finished in fifth place after a fourth round effort of 16.23m.
Victory in the women’s high jump went to St Lucia’s Lavern Spencer as Isobel Pooley finished third on countback having also cleared 1.93m.
Great Britain’s number one pole vaulter Luke Cutts cleared a season’s best 5.70m to secure second place in the men’s pole vault behind Canada’s World Indoor Tour winner and reigning world outdoor champion Shawn Barber (5.89m). Adam Hague and Max Eaves both finished with clearances of 5.40m.
The Birmingham Diamond League takes place at the Alexander Stadium exactly two months before the Olympic Games begin, on 5th August, and will play a key part in Farah’s preparations for the defence of his Olympic titles.
Fans that ran #TwoMoMiles will be among the crowd in Birmingham on 5th June, to support Farah and Britain’s best athletes as they begin the British outdoor season.
For tickets to the Birmingham Diamond League please visit britishathletics.org.uk