But a special crescendo was reserved for Mo Farah above all, a collective ovation that escalated as the four-time Olympic gold medallist arrived at the end of the road, right arm aloft in salute, as he officially signed off his illustrious career with fourth place at the Great North Run.
At the age of 40, no valedictory seventh win at this famous halfmarathon for the Briton had been expected. Last year's world marathon champion, Tamirat Tola of Ethiopia, took 59 minutes and 58 seconds to secure victory with Farah cast adrift from the leaders before the sixth mile was out.
It underlined the fallibility that even the greatest must eventually confront, the reason why the Somalia-born Londoner is certain now is the time to take his leave. "With the old Mo," he reflected, "nobody would be able to get that gap. I'm not a machine. Your body can't quite do it. I'm being honest in saying, 'If I can't be the best in the world, why are you doing it?'" So it's been an amazing career. But it's really important that, at some point, you know when to call it a day."
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 11, 2023 من The Guardian.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
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هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 11, 2023 من The Guardian.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
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