On the eve of hosting the Northern 12-stage road relay at Silksworth Sports Centre, Sunderland Harriers today moved a step closer to the sensational announcement of their latest recruit; none other than double Olympic Champion Mo Farah!
Following months of speculation, Farah has set to announce he is returning to the UK from his US base in Portland, Oregon, after the Rio Olympic Games so his children can be raised in the British education system, and he can prepare for his World Championships swansong at London 2017 on home soil.
Harriers officials swooped after hearing that after falling out with his previous UK club, Newham and Essex Beagles, Farah is looking for a new first-claim club to represent, and following a glowing recommendation from lifelong friend and former training partner Malcolm Hassan, he and his family have focused their attentions on the North-East, with the Wearsiders favourites to beat off tough local competition from Morpeth, Gateshead and Tyne Bridge to secure the most coveted signature in athletics.
Mo is familiar with the area from his frequent visits over the years, first to visit his friend Hassan in Sunderland, and latterly to compete in the Great North Run so the upheaval for him and his family will be minimal.
Currently working closely with local Estate Agents, Farah’s wife Tania is said to favour the Cleadon or Whitburn areas, and has been impressed by several available six-figure properties, as well as the standard of local schools, although Mo is reportedly more tempted by Herrington with the wide open spaces of the Country Park, plus its proximity to the track at Silksworth, and his sponsor, Nike on the nearby Doxford Technology Park.
Club officials travelled to Cardiff last weekend to finalise negotiations following Farah’s third place finish at the World Half-Marathon Championships.
“Obviously this will be great for the club, and athletics in the area in general,” said Club Chairman Kevin Carr. “He’ll have to pay his subs, obviously, and his England Athletics registration like anyone else, but barring any unforeseen circumstances, it looks like he’s coming on board. I think he’ll run a long leg for the A Team in the 12-man next year, providing he proves his fitness.”
Team Manager Albert James echoed Carr’s sentiments, “Signing Mo will be a fantastic boost for the club, and I’m sure we’ll see a huge growth in membership as a result of him joining.” He said, “I’m planning on keeping him back for one of the later Harrier Leagues next season, in case we need the points and therefore can run him from the Slow Pack, but I think he’ll make an impact no matter where he competes.”
Before he can don the Royal Blue vest of Sunderland, however, Farah has the small matter of the defence of his 5,000 and 10,000m Olympic titles, but if all goes to plan there could be a new, but very familiar face on the anchor leg at the Farringdon cross=country relays in September.
Neither Farah nor his agent were available for comment last night, but Mo is rumoured to be very excited about beginning the next chapter of his athletics career on Wearside.