Sir Mo Farah made it back-to-back victories in the Vitality Big Half on a wet and windy Sunday in East London.

The four-time Olympic gold medal winner took to the streets of London to claim first place in a race that serves as a stepping stone to April’s London Marathon.

Sir Mo, 35, outsprinted training partner Bashir Abdi and Daniel Wanjiru to cross the line in Greenwich in 61 minutes 15 seconds, while Britain's Charlotte Purdue also retained her title in the elite women's race.

'I'm Excited'

"Conditions were a bit tougher than last year, very windy, but it was nice to get the job done and come first," said Farah.

"Early on in the race I felt a bit sluggish and had a bit of cramp but dug in deep and got through it.

"It's a nice stepping stone.

"I'm excited (about the London Marathon). I feel like I have more experience than last year so I've just got to go out there and do the best that I can.

“But I know I can mix it with the guys for sure.”

David Weir warmed up for his 20th London Marathon with victory in the elite men’s wheelchair race and Margriet van den Broek was the winner in the women’s wheelchair contest.

News Shopper:

Community Half Marathon - Diversity

The community half marathon saw more than 13 thousand runners cross the finish line by the Cutty Sark in Greenwich.

One of those running for charity was Scott Mitchell, the husband of Barbara Windsor, who led the Dementia Revolution group which included EastEnders actors Tanya Franks, Jane Slaughter and Natalie Cassidy – who are all taking on the London Marathon in April as part of ‘Barbara’s Revolutionaries’.

“It was windy and wet, not a great day, but the crowds always turn out in London; it makes you just so proud to be here,” said Cassidy, who plays Sonia Fowler in the BBC drama, added:

“The diversity of London is amazing; running through the streets of London was really emotional.”

Mitchell, whose wife Dame Barbara lives with dementia, agreed that his first Vitality Big Half was an incredible experience.

“You feel elated, you feel achievement, you feel emotional about the reasons why you’re doing it, which I never thought I would,” he said. “I’m just so proud of everyone that we got through it.”

Running Changed My Life

Jarnail Singh, who participated in their first half marathon at last year’s event, praised the #MovedbyLondon campaign – a campaign that encourages Londoners from a variety of diverse running communities to take part in the event,

“Running can change your life completely,” Singh said.

“I feel so lucky to be part of the running community in London.