Mo Farah to captain British team at World Half Marathon

Multiple Olympic, world and European champion Mo Farah (handicap -6.6) will captain the British team at the IAAF / Cardiff University World Half-Marathon Championships today.

Farah, who is competing at these Championships for the first time, will headline a ten-strong team taking on the 13.1 mile course. He is the British and European record holder over the distance, posting a time of 59:32 last year.

On his selection as captain, Farah said: “I am honoured to be selected as captain of the British team for the IAAF / Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championships. I have had some great experiences in the sport throughout my career and I am proud to represent my country in this way."

Team Leader Spencer Duval said on the appointment: “Mo is one of the most outstanding athletes this country has ever seen. His great achievements will be inspirational to the rest of the team heading into this special home Championships.”

Unfortunately, Gemma Steel (handicap -2.0) has withdrawn from the team due to a chest infection.

Steel has been replaced in the women’s squad by Tina Muir (handicap 0.7) who has a half marathon personal best of 73:21. It will be the Bedford & County athlete’s first international cap for the British team as she competes in front of thousands lining the streets of Cardiff.

On her withdrawal, Steel commented: “I am disappointed to have to withdraw from the British team at the World Half-Marathon Championships in Cardiff due to a chest infection. I was looking forward to competing in front of a home crowd but I wish Tina (Muir) and the rest of the team the best of luck on Saturday.”

The schedule for the Championships starts with the elite women’s race at 13:35 before the elite men’s and mass race starts at 14:10.

The British Athletics team for the IAAF / Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championships on Saturday 26 March 2016:

Men

Mo Farah (handicap -6.6)

Dewi Griffiths (handicap -5.8)

Callum Hawkins (handicap -6.2)

Matthew Hynes (handicap -3.9)

Ryan McLeod (handicap -5.1)

Women

Alyson Dixon (handicap -1.3)

Rachel Felton (handicap -0.2)

Tina Muir (handicap 0.7)

Charlotte Purdue (handicap -0.1)

Jenny Spink (handicap -0.3)

There will be live coverage of the IAAF / Cardiff University World Half-Marathon Championships on BBC One between 13:30-15:30 today.