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.