Mo Farah claims ‘Big Half’

London : Sir Mo Farah’s preparations for the London Marathon got a lift as he won the Vitality Big Half yesterday.

The four-time Olympic champion completed the half-marathon course in the capital in an unofficial time of one hour, one minute and 39 seconds, vindicating his decision to not pull out of the 13.1-mile race despite the bad weather which had affected the country.

Farah, who has been training in Ethiopia, won a sprint finish with 2017 London Marathon winner Daniel Wanjiru, of Kenya. Britain’s Callum Hawkins was not far behind in third.

The 34-year-old, who is getting to grips with his new career on the road, has yet to make a decision over whether he will run the marathon for Team GB at the 2020 Olympics in Japan.

However, Sunday’s victory is a fillip for Farah ahead of the London Marathon, which takes place on April 22.

Charlotte Purdue was a comfortable winner of the elite women’s race, with Lily Partridge second and Charlotte Archer third.

Farah said afterwards: “I enjoyed it, it was comfortable. Training has been going pretty well and it wasn’t too bad at all.

“I thought the conditions would be worse, it was a little bit wet and cold - compared to 25 degrees in Africa it’s a big shock but you just get used to it.”

On his prospects for the April 22 race, he added on BBC Radio London: “I’m just going to keep working hard, get ready and not get too excited.”