Sir Mo Farah, one of the greatest British athletes of all time, finished fourth in the final race of his career at the Great North Run.

The four-time Olympic champion slipped off the pace early in the famous 13.1-mile race from Newcastle to South Shields.

After finishing three minutes 29 seconds behind Ethiopia's Tamirat Tola, who won in 59 minutes 58 seconds, he said: "It's very emotional. There was a lot going through my mind.

He said: "All I know is running and that is what made me happy for so many years. Running is everything to me.

“Running is what saved me.” Farah retires with a glittering CV having become the first Briton to complete the Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m double with victory in front of a joyous home crowd at London 2012. He successfully defended his titles at Rio 2016 - only the second man to do so.

Only five Britons have more Olympic medals than Farah, who also won six world, five European and two European indoor titles as well as the Chicago Marathon in a career dating back more than two decades. Farah waved to the crowd in the final 200m, before jogging back down the finishing straight to high-five the crowd, many of whom were carrying 'One Mo Time' signs.

"Without the crowd I wouldn't have got through it," he said. "I wanted to end my career here in Newcastle.

“I've had some amazing memories. It's really important to come out here and give my support to the crowd.

"It's very important to have a race like this. Without the support and community in Newcastle, it wouldn't be the same."

Former British 1500m world champion and now athletics commentator, Steve Cram, said: "Thank you for the memories. Thank you for the medals. Thank you for all the excitement and drama."

Having been knighted in 2016, British Athletics described Farah, as the greatest, while Team GB tweeted: "Generation: inspired." In the women's race, Olympic marathon champion, Peres Jepchirchir, won in 1hr 6mins 45secs, with compatriot, Sharon Lokedi, 58 seconds behind in second place.

Belgium's Bashid Abdi was runner-up in the men's race, 1min 22secs behind world marathon champion Tola, with Ethiopia's Muktar Edris third.

In the men's wheelchair race, Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, Daniel Sidbury won in 42:48, whilst fellow Briton Samantha Kinghorn the women's in 49:21. Almost 60,000 people are taking part in the 42nd edition of the Great North Run, the biggest half marathon in the world.