Mo Farah

Mohamed “Mo” Farah, CBE (born 23 March 1983) is a British long-distance and middle-distance runner.

Born in Somalia, he is the current Olympic, World and European champion in the 5000 metres to 10,000 metres.

On the track, he generally competes over 5000 m and 10,000 m, but also runs the 3000 metres and occasionally the 1500 metres.

He made his marathon debut in 2014 in London, placing eighth, and setting a new English record of 2 hours, 8 minutes, 21 seconds.

Farah was originally based in London and ran for Newham and Essex Beagles athletics club, training at St Mary’s University College, Twickenham’s sports facilities in Strawberry Hill from 2001 to 2011.

In 2011, he relocated some of his training sessions to Portland, Oregon, United States, in order to further his training with Coach Alberto Salazar.

His running style has been described as “bouncy” and tactical, which he has attempted to alter for a more efficient and energy-saving stride pattern, especially in the longer distances.

In September 2014 Mo Farah competed in the Great North Run, a half marathon, and won the race. Farah was born on 23 March 1983 in Mogadishu, Somalia.

He hails from the Isaaq clan and his full name is Mohamed Muktar Jama Farah.

He spent the early years of his childhood in Djibouti with his twin brother.

He later moved to Britain at the age of eight to join his father, speaking barely a word of English.

His dad, Mukhtar Farah, is an IT consultant and a British citizen, who was born in London, England and grew up in Hounslow.

Mohamed’s parents had met during a holiday.

In July 2006, Farah clocked a time of 13 minutes 9.40 seconds for 5000 m to become Britain’s second-fastest runner after Dave Moorcroft.

A month later Farah collected the silver medal in the European Championship 5000m in Gothenburg.

Coaches Alan Storey and Mark Rowland made sure that Farah remained competitive and a few words from Paula Radcliffe before the 5000 m final inspired Farah.

He has stated that: “She said to me, ‘Go out and be brave.

Just believe in yourself’.” In December 2006, Farah won the 2006 European Cross Country Championships in San Giorgio su Legnano, Italy.

In 2011, Farah moved to Portland, Oregon, to train under American coach Alberto Salazar.

His training partner in Salazar’s group was American Galen Rupp, who would win the silver medal in the 2012 Olympic 10,000-metre final.

Farah won the world 5,000-metre title at the 2011 International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) world championships in Taegu, South Korea, after having placed a close second in the 10,000 metres, his only outdoor loss for the year.

Although he lost three of his four 2012 indoor races, including placing only fourth in the 3,000 metres at the world indoor championships, Farah was unbeaten outdoors in 2012.

Farah became widely known during the 2012 London Olympics, recognized both for his achievements and for his emotional finishes, characterized by spread arms, wide eyes, and a large smile.