Mo Farah back on track in Birmingham for first UK track race in 2014
Newly crowned 2014 European 10,000m and 5,000m champion Mo Farah (handicap MINUS 6.9) has confirmed that he will race over 2 miles at the Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix on Sunday.
The final IAAF Diamond League of the season in the UK this year at Alexander Stadium will be the first opportunity this year for British athletics fans to cheer on Mo Farah on the track after he was disappointed to have to withdraw from the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. It will also be his first race on British soil since his debut in the London Marathon in April this year.
Speaking after retaining his European 10,000m title in Zurich, the double Olympic and World Champion Mo Farah said:
“I was gutted to have to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games but am really pleased that I’ll be back on the track racing for British fans at the Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix... I can’t wait to race again in Birmingham, I have competed there many times in the past and the fans always give all the athletes huge support.”
Mo Farah will race over 2 miles in the Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix on Sunday 24 August against an international field including European Championship teammate and Silver medalist Andy Vernon (handicap MINUS 6.7) , Emmanuel Bett (Kenya), Bashir Abdi (Belgium), Hassan Mead (USA) and Zane Robertson (New Zealand).
The Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix will also welcome world 400m gold medallist Christine Ohuruogu and Paralympic stars David Weir, Hannah Cockroft and Jonnie Peacock, who will line up for the Sainsbury’s IPC Grand Prix Final immediately after the IAAF Diamond League meet.
The Sainsbury's Birmingham Grand Prix and IPC Grand Prix Final is the combined finale of the Sainsbury's Series of major British athletics events showcasing the best UK and international sports stars and inspiring young people to take up sport.
Tickets for the Sainsbury’s Birmingham Grand Prix on Sunday 24 August are available via britishathletics.org.uk