Mo Farah admits he is keeping his options open after retaining his British title at the Virgin Money London Marathon.
The four-time Olympic champion quit the track after the World Championships in London two years ago to focus on the 26-mile distance.
But he admitted he could yet look to defend his world 10,000m title in Doha later this year.
Farah clocked the second quickest time in history by a male British athlete as he crossed the line in fifth place in a time of 2.05.39, 28 seconds outside his personal best from Chicago last autumn.
But the anticipated showdown with world record holder Eliud Kipchoge failed to materialise as the Kenyan – in a class of his own - won a historic fourth London race in the second fastest marathon time in history.
“Eliud is just world class, I don’t know how I’ll beat him, maybe I’ll wait for him to retire,” joked Farah.
“I’m definitely disappointed with my result, training has gone well. I felt great at the start.
“My aim was to follow the pacemaker, but after 20 miles when he dropped out, the gap opened up and it became hard to close.
“The better man won, he is just a very special athlete and so humble. If Eliud can run those sort of times it just gives us another level of possibility. It’s a different mindset chasing someone and it takes the pressure off me.
“I don’t know about the future, everything is open for discussion with my coach. I do know that this is a very special race that I want to win someday.”
If Farah was downbeat then British team-mates Charlotte Purdue and Callum Hawkins could barely contain their delight after clocking massive personal bests.
Hawkins carved a massive two minutes off his old mark as he placed tenth in a time of 2:08.14, a new Scottish record.
And Purdue stormed from 18th after 15 kilometres to tenth at the finish, her time of 2.25:38 moving her to third on the all-time British women’s list behind Paula Radcliffe and Mara Yamauchi.
Both performances also achieved the Olympic qualifying standard.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better run really. I can’t believe it,” said Purdue.
“Paula Radcliffe and Mara Yamauchi are two absolute legends who I admire so much. The aim is now the World Championships later this year, I think it will be good preparation for the Olympics. I know a lot of people are put off because of the heat but it is going to be hot in Tokyo.”
It’s 12 months since Hawkins collapsed a mile from the finish when leading the Commonwealth Games marathon by nearly two minutes.
Those brutally hot conditions were not in evidence in London, where leaden skies, a chilly wind and the occasional drizzle proved a home from home.
“It was windy and that made it tough in a way,” said Hawkins.
“It’s a good stepping stone for whatever I choose towards the end of the year. Hopefully it is the worlds and hopefully I will be pushing for a medal and be in even better condition.”
Sportsbeat 2019