2013 Great North Run: A Historic Showdown of Distance Legends — image accompanying Athletics Weekly's report. Image accompanying Athletics Weekly’s report; reduced and presented for news commentary with the attributed report. View the complete source report.
In 2013, the Great North Run featured a historic race among three distance legends. Kenenisa Bekele, Mo Farah, and Haile Gebrselassie competed in a tactical contest.
Bekele, making his half-marathon debut, led with a strategic acceleration. Farah, known for his finishing speed, pursued closely but fell short by one second. Read more culture coverage.
The race highlighted the depth of talent and the tactical depth of elite runners, with Gebrselassie finishing third. The event marked a significant moment in distance running history. Related: Almgren and Mantz Set to Compete in Copenhagen Half-Marathon.
This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from Athletics Weekly. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.
Reader questions
Questions about this report
What should runners know about 2013 Great North Run: A Historic Showdown of Distance Legends?
Three distance running icons faced off in a memorable race, showcasing their tactical prowess. In 2013, the Great North Run featured a historic race among three distance legends. Kenenisa Bekele, Mo Farah, and Haile Gebrselassie competed in a tactical contest.
When did Runner World publish this culture brief?
Runner World published this brief on September 7, 2026. The underlying Athletics Weekly report was dated September 7, 2026.
Where can readers find the complete original report?
This summary is based on reporting from Athletics Weekly. The attributed source link in the article leads to the publisher’s complete report.
THE WEEKLY BRIEFING
Start the week a step ahead.
A concise edit of the running stories worth knowing, sent every Monday.