Farah to compete in half marathon

Mo Farah is set to compete in the World Half Marathon Championships in Cardiff as he prepares to defend his Olympic titles in Rio this summer.

The 32-year-old, who won gold in the 5,000m and 10,000m at London 2012, has made himself available for the British team for the race, on 26 March.

"It will be a good chance to try to claim another world title," said Farah.

Organisers said Farah's appearance was a "major coup" for the event, which hopes to attract 25,000 runners.

British Athletics will name its team on 7 March, with Farah hoping to race at the championships for the first time in his glittering career.

Organisers of the World Half Marathon have long lobbied Farah to make himself available, and he believes the course in Cardiff will help his ambition to become the first man since Finland's Lasse Viren in 1976 to win successive 5,000m and 10,000m Olympic titles.

"My primary aim for 2016 is the Olympic Games in Rio in August but this race will be a good way to build my endurance before I return to the track in the summer," he said. —BBC