Mo Farah
Mo Farah
It has long been talked about that Mo Farah's future will lie in the marathon, and now the sport will have the chance to discover if the theories are true.
Farah, the Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m champion and double 5,000m European champion, will run over the 26.2miles at the Virgin London Marathon in 2014.
But before that, in April, he will have a taste of what it will be like when he competes in half of this year's race.
The race organisers have today announced the news of the next step of Farah's career.
Farah will test himself against the best in the world on Sunday 21 April and he cannot wait.
He said: "As a young boy growing up in London it has always been my ambition to run the London Marathon.
"I won the Mini Marathon when I was younger and have watched the race every year for as long as I can remember.
"I will make my marathon debut in the 2014 London Marathon but will run the 2013 race to half way as part of my preparation for 2014.
"It will allow me to understand the course and the systems I will need when I run the full distance.
"To run as the double Olympic champion makes it even more special."
Because of his slim build, combined with his power and outstanding ability to change pace when he wants to, as he demonstrated so brilliantly at the European Athletics Championships in Helsinki and the Olympic Games in London last year, Farah seems to have all right ingredients to make a seamless switch to the marathon.
His decision to move up to the distance will happen two years before the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and he might aim to run the distance for the first time at a championship at the European Athletics Championships in Zurich in 2014.
Farah will start with the elite men’s field in London and run to half way in a race including Patrick Makau, the world record-holder, Olympic champion Stephen Kiprotich and world champion Abel Kirui.
He made his half marathon debut in 2011 when he won the New York City half marathon in a British record of 60:23.
London Marathon race director Hugh Brasher said: "We are delighted that Mo wants to run with our elite runners this year.
"We have been following and supporting Mo’s career since he first won the Mini London Marathon 15 years ago and are full of anticipation for his marathon debut in 2014.
"Hopefully, his experience of the race, the route and the unique atmosphere of the London Marathon will stand him in good stead when he takes on the full race next year. We are sure he will gain some valuable insights and come back fully prepared for the challenge."
* Credits: European Athletics