Mo Farah To Race Third London Marathon in 2019

By Adam Kopet

Virgin Money London Marathon organizers announced Tuesday that Mo Farah will compete in his third London Marathon at the 2019 edition of the race.

It's #MoTime!

We can confirm Sir @Mo_Farah will be running the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon! 🙌#LondonMarathon pic.twitter.com/tQBBajY0Ox

— London Marathon (@LondonMarathon) November 20, 2018

Farah finished third in the 2018 race, setting a British record in his second marathon. He followed that performance with winning the 2018 Chicago Marathon last month, setting a personal best of 2:05:11 in the rain, breaking the British and European records.

The original plan for Farah was to end his track career in 2017. By then he was a four-time Olympic champion and a six-time world champion at 5,000 and 10,000 meters. His goal was to focus on the marathon.

However, after the 2019 London Marathon, Farah's plans have opened up. He and his coaches are considering a return to the track next year, according to Ben Bloom for the Telegraph. Some of that consideration comes down to which event, the marathon or the 10,000 meters gives Farah the best chance at a gold medal.

It may also come down to scheduling. The marathon at the 2019 IAAF World Outdoor Championships is scheduled to begin at midnight to avoid the heat in Doha, Qatar.

Further, with Eliud Kipchoge, the 2016 Olympic marathon champion and the recently crowned world record holder, running at the top of his game, Farah may find it easier to earn gold on the track than to race Kipchoge in the marathon at the 2020 Olympics.

Farah and Kipchoge last raced at this year's London Marathon. Kipchoge won. They are likely to meet again in London in 2019. London Marathon organizers are reportedly negotiating with Kipchoge's management to bring him back next year.