He might be missing the World Championships this month but Mo Farah has his sights firmly set on Tokyo 2020 after breaking another record at the Great North Run.
The four-time Olympic gold medallist – who won 5,000m gold on Super Saturday at London 2012 – romped to his sixth straight win, finishing the 13.1-mile race in a personal best 59 minutes and six seconds.
The 36-year-old – who switched from the track to the road following the 2017 World Championships – is now gearing up to defend his Chicago Marathon title next month, as his bid for a marathon spot in Japan gathers pace.
"I've really enjoyed it but the last couple of years has been in the middle of marathon preparation. It was good to test myself. Things are looking good and I'm happy with the win today,” he said.
"Tokyo is definitely on the cards - as an athlete you always want to represent your country. You just have to take it one year at a time. I am enjoying the marathon but I have so much more to learn.
“I have to keep mixing with the boys and knock my time down. Hopefully come Tokyo time, we will be in the mix."
Farah was pushed hard in the race by Tamirat Tola but sprinted clear down the final straight to win, lowering his previous best time by 15 seconds.
"The crowd was so loud I didn't know if he [Tamirat Tola] was closing the gap so I kept looking behind," he added.
“But I know the course so well so that played a part. He definitely had more energy than me, the way he was going up and down so I had to put the foot down and go for it.”
Sportsbeat 2019