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Saturday, August 29, 2015

Need a drink of water? Mo problem! Farah wins World Championship 5,000m gold – despite running further than all of his opponents so he could quench his thirst

.Mo Farah crossed the line in a time of 13min 50.38sec ahead of Kenya's Caleb Ndiku at Beijing's Bird's Nest Stadium

  • .Just over three minutes into the race the 32-year-old dashed across eight lanes of the track to get a cup of water 
  • .Farah won the 10,000m title earlier at this year's World Championship to complete another double success
  • .Brit's achievements adds to his London 2012 Olympics and Moscow 2013 World Championship gold feats 
  • By Martha Kelner and Sam Matthew for MailOnline
Even making a pit stop for a cup of water was not enough to stop Mo Farah from sprinting away to victory in the World Championship 5,000m final.
Despite running even further than all his opponents, the 32-year raced into the record books by securing a unique 'triple-double.'
The unstoppable Britain, who had secured gold in the 10,000m just days earlier, dashed across eight lanes of the track three minutes into the race to get his hands on some refreshment.
Farah (left) was forced to run to the outskirts of the track to take on some fluids during the opening part of the men's 5,000m final
Farah (left) was forced to run to the outskirts of the track to take on some fluids during the opening part of the men's 5,000m final
Farah crossed the line in a time of 13min 50.38sec ahead of Kenya's Caleb Ndiku during Saturday's event, despite running further than the other athletes
Farah crossed the line in a time of 13min 50.38sec ahead of Kenya's Caleb Ndiku during Saturday's event, despite running further than the other athletes
Fellow competitors turned their heads in surprise as Farah, who had been bring up the rear of the pack, ran wide to visit the water station.
The distance runner poured the liquid over his head, as all the athletes endured the searing Beijing heat in the Birds Nest Stadium.
After champion exerted extra energy to get fluids, the race officials positioned themselves closer to the athletes for the remaining laps of the race.
'It is great to make history,' Farah told the BBC after crossing the line. 
'I didn't feel great, my hamstring was playing up a bit but the medical team helped me through it and to make a double means so much to me. I was getting nervous for the first time in a little while but thanks to all the medical team. It was amazing to do it.'
Farah's extra effort was recognised by his supporters watching the action.
Vickies Talons posted on Twitter: 'Mo_Farah killed it today loved the cheeky glass of water run.... Greatest athlete in the world well done congratulations
Paul ‏wrote: 'Mo Farah. What a legend! Even had time for a little pit-stop for water.'
Jeff Bartrop ‏added: 'Oh Mo- incredible, even ran extra for water! Next time @Mo_Farah is going to run off for a curry halfway through the race. He'll still win!'
Farah, who did the distance double of 5,000m and 10,000m titles at the London Olympics in 2012 and in Moscow in 2013 is the first man to then go onto defend his titles at another World Championships.
The Bird's Nest stadium was a cacophony of noise as Farah overtook Caleb Ndiku round the final bend and put his foot on the gas to accelerate to his second World title in eight days, after winning 10,000m gold last Saturday.
Farah, pictured at the rear of the racing pack, peeled off to the water station just over three-and-a-half minutes into the race
Farah, pictured at the rear of the racing pack, peeled off to the water station just over three-and-a-half minutes into the race
Other athletes could be seen turning their heads in surprise as the distance runner crossed eight lanes of the track to quench his thirst 
The Britain, who had won the 10,000m title just days earlier, poured the drink over his head too cool him down in the opening stages of the race
The Britain, who had won the 10,000m title just days earlier, poured the drink over his head too cool him down in the opening stages of the race
Farah then threw the cup away before rejoining the other runners taking part in the final of the 5,000m 
Farah then threw the cup away before rejoining the other runners taking part in the final of the 5,000m 
However, shortly after Farah's unnecessary excursion race officials moved the drinks table further inside the track to aid athletes
However, shortly after Farah's unnecessary excursion race officials moved the drinks table further inside the track to aid athletes
Farah's extra effort to get refreshment was not missed by fans watching the action in Beijing's Bird's Nest Stadium
Farah's extra effort to get refreshment was not missed by fans watching the action in Beijing's Bird's Nest Stadium
He crossed the line arms outstretched and mouth open in 13min 50.38sec, with silver medallist Ndiku trailing in 13:51.75. Ethiopia's Hagos Gebrhiwet clinched bronze in 13:51.86.
Kenya's Ndiku, who won the Commonwealth Games 5,000m last summer in Farah's absence, had warned that he and his compatriots had 'something planned' for Farah. If they did it was very poorly conceived – with the slow pace in the early stages playing into the hands of Farah, who had the best kick of anyone in the race.
The race began very cagey, with a 73-second first lap. It was so tortuously slow that Farah could comfortably swing out wide to a drinks station three and a half minutes in. Farah remained at the back until there were seven laps remaining when her went to the front and was joined by Ethiopia's Imane Merga and his Nike Oregon Project training partner Galen Rupp.
Ndiku took the lead with two laps to go. They were shoulder to shoulder with just over a lap to run but he ran out of gas as Farah flew past. The 1:48.6 the Briton ran for the last 800m was equal to his two lap personal best set in 2003.
Farah said his body felt even more worn than usual after the 10,000m because of the hard Mondo track surface in the Bird's Nest which has helped produce so many quick times but takes its toll on the joints. On the flip side a kinder schedule meant he had an extra rest day between the finals to recover.
He showed no ill effects as he equalled the five world championships gold medals won by Ethiopian great Kenenisa Bekele.
It was the first time Britain had two men in a 5,000m World final since 1991, with Tom Farrell joining Farah but Farrell, who led for much of the race finished last in 14:08.87. 
The Brit kisses the Beijing Bird's Nest track after crossing the line to win his third world title at this distance
The Brit kisses the Beijing Bird's Nest track after crossing the line to win his third world title at this distance
Farah sucks his thumb in celebration after another stunning performance in China - with the Brit set to have another child soon
Farah sucks his thumb in celebration after another stunning performance in China - with the Brit set to have another child soon
The realisation of his amazing feat dawned upon Farah shortly after the race as he laid down to take in the moment
The realisation of his amazing feat dawned upon Farah shortly after the race as he laid down to take in the moment
Farah jumps for joy during his lap of honour with the Union Flag as he was applauded by all of those inside the Bird's Nest Stadium
Farah jumps for joy during his lap of honour with the Union Flag as he was applauded by all of those inside the Bird's Nest Stadium
Farah even managed to take a selfie with some lucky British fans who flew to Beijing to support the athlete and his team-mates
Farah even managed to take a selfie with some lucky British fans who flew to Beijing to support the athlete and his team-mates
Farah (right) had a tough fight on his hands against Ndiku who led going around the final bend - before the Brit's class proved too good
Farah (right) had a tough fight on his hands against Ndiku who led going around the final bend - before the Brit's class proved too good

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