Farah Regrets Running London Marathon With Hand Weights
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After a disappointing fifth-place finish in today’s London Marathon, Mo Farah is second-guessing his decision to run the race while carrying 2-pound hand weights.
Running enthusiasts had eagerly anticipated seeing Britain’s Farah, an accomplished track runner but relative novice at 26.2 miles, square off against Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya, the marathon world record holder and winner of three previous London titles.
That showdown never materialized, as Kipchoge romped to a record fourth London Marathon win in 2 hours 2 minutes 37 seconds, the second fastest marathon time in history.
Kipchoge was not carrying hand weights.
“I don’t like to make excuses,” Farah said at a postrace news conference, “but I must say that if I had to do it over again, going up against Kipchoge, I would have left the hand weights at home.”
“In hindsight, it was a foolish decision.”
Asked why he would run a marathon while carrying needless additional weight, Farah struggled to find an answer.
“I guess I figured it would be a good way to burn a few extra calories?” he said. “Or maybe work on my upper body strength. I don’t know. I got them at the expo.”
Farah isn’t sure which marathon he’ll target next, but he does know one thing.
“I will skip the hand weights,” he said. “Or at least use the 1-pound kind.”
