Mo Farah eyes British record at London Marathon
London April 18 (IANS) Four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah aims to break the British record at the 38th London Marathon to be held on April 22. The 35-year-old will target Steve Jones s record of 2:07:13 set in 1985 when he takes on the 42.195-kilometre challenge for the second time.
"I have learned a lot since I made my marathon debut in London in 2014 " he said to reporters on Tuesday reports Xinhua news agency.
"I understand the marathon more so I will go after the British record and see what I m capable of. My aim on Sunday is to respect the other guys and get on with the race."
Farah also a multiple world track champion set an English record of 2:08:21 four years ago which makes him the 13th fastest in Sunday s field a line-up containing eight athletes who have run under 2:06 including the second and third fastest men in history in Ethiopia s Kenenisa Bekele and Kenya s Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge.
"It s a great feeling not being the favourite. There isn t much pressure on me " he said.
Farah retired from the track eight months ago at the London 2017 World Championships and has concentrated his attention on marathon.
"When things are great that s the time to find a new challenge something to get you motivated and get you up in the morning. And running the marathon is something I ve always wanted to do " he said.
"Having a new challenge has made me feel more relaxed. You have to enjoy what you do otherwise what s the point? I m enjoying my running now more than ever."
Farah believes he s capable of clocking 2:04 hours or 2:03 hours "in the right race at the right pace" but admitted that his strategy on Sunday may change if the favourites go all-out in the early stages.
"I will give it 110 per cent but a lot of things can happen in a marathon and things change quickly so you never know what will happen. A win would be amazing but I go to every race to fight and try to get onto the podium. It s going to be an incredible race " he concluded.
--IANS
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