British record under attack from Mo Farah on Saturday in half-marathon packed with talent from the UK and Ireland

After his one-hour world record on the track in Brussels last week, Mo Farah is clearly in good shape. This Saturday (Sept 12) in Northern Ireland he will hope to translate that form into a quick performance on the roads – and maybe a British record – as he tackles the Antrim Coast Half Marathon.

The event, which is sponsored by P&O Ferries, is held on a flat, fast 13.1-mile course and Farah will have in his sights his UK record of 59:32 set in Lisbon in 2015. He has also run 59:07, but that was on the point-to-point Great North Run last year on a course not eligible for records.

James McIlroy, the former 800m runner, has put the fields together for this elite-only event and describes them as the strongest ever domestic line-up of UK and Irish runners for a half-marathon. McIlroy, who is also a long-time friend of Farah after having started at St Mary’s University College in Twickenham with him on the same day years ago, also believes it’s the best-quality road race ever in the province.

As well as Farah, the men’s race features in-form Marc Scott, who recently broke the UK 5km road record and took the British 5000m title in Manchester, plus Ben Connor, whereas local Belfast runners Kevin Seaward and Stephen Scullion – the latter fresh from altitude training with Farah in Font Romeu – are also in the race.

Further entries include Adam Hickey, Josh Griffiths, Scott Overall and Nick McCormick.

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The women’s line-up, meanwhile, includes five-time Olympian Jo Pavey, Steph Davis, Lily Partridge, Gemma Steel and Northern Ireland runner Emma Mitchell. In addition, Sam Harrison, Ann Marie McGlynn, Clara Evans, Lucy Reid and Becky Briggs are set to compete.

What’s more, Alyson Dixon and Iraitz Arrospide Garro, the two reigning world 50km champions, add to the quality. Originally from Spain, Arrospide Garro has spent recent years based in Sheffield.

With no Great North Run or World Half-Marathon Championships this autumn due to coronavirus, the athletes are clearly keen to test themselves somewhere over 13.1 miles. Some are due to race the London Marathon on October 4 too.

A September half-marathon has frequently featured in Farah’s racing schedule as he has competed at every Great North Run since 2013, winning six times. But in June organisers announced that the 2020 event, which would have been the 40th edition, would not be taking place because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Following this, Farah is set to pace runners who are aiming for the Olympic qualifying time at the London Marathon next month.

Farah said: “I’m really looking forward to taking part in the Antrim Coast Half Marathon. It’s a fast course, really exciting to see what I can do.”

. See you at the Antrim Coast Half Marathon on September 12! @antrimcoasthalfmarathon @athleticsni pic.twitter.com/AJR4Ezi01G

— Sir Mo Farah (@Mo_Farah) August 31, 2020

The event starts at 8am Saturday (Sept 12) and is set to be live streamed on the BBC and Antrim Coast Half Marathon website and Facebook page.