DOUBLE Olympic champion Mo Farah is part of a 10-strong Great Britain team announced today to run the IAAF/Cardiff University World Half Marathon.
It will be the first time the European half marathon record holder will take part in these championships.
Increased demand following Farah’s inclusion has prompted event organisers to today reopen registration, giving people a last chance to sign up for the race on March 26.
Farah, the World and European champion, last competed in the UK over 3,000m at the Glasgow Indoor Grand Prix in February.
“I always enjoy racing in front of a home crowd and I’m sure they will give myself and the rest of the British team, fantastic support as they line the streets of the city,” said Farah.
The team also comprises five-time Welsh cross-country champion Dewi Griffiths and Callum Hawkins who set a half marathon personal best of 62:36 in Paris last weekend. Trials winner Ryan McLeod and Matthew Hynes occupy the other spots on the men’s team.
A spokesperson for Dewi Griffiths’ Swansea Harriers Athletics Club said: “Dewi will be facing the best middle distance runners in the world, but he will take comfort in the fact he is competing alongside Mo Farah.”
The 2014 European Cross Country champion Gemma Steel is included in the women’s team. She looks to improve upon a seventh place finish at the 2012 edition of the event in Bulgaria.
Team leader Spencer Duval said: “There is some great British history in these championships with Paula Radcliffe and Liz McColgan winning at previous events.
“It is a great opportunity for the team to contest a major championship on home soil and I have every faith that they will take advantage of the support from the British public on the route.”
The event presents an ideal opportunity for selected British athletes to prepare for the Virgin Money London Marathon (Olympic Trials event) in April.
The event is open to mass participants.
Runners of all ages and abilities will be able to run in the footsteps of professional athletes in a World Championship race.
“We are expecting 16,000 plus runners and 100,000 spectators,” said Annabelle Mason, head of marketing at race organiser Run 4 Wales.
