Britain’s four-time Olympic gold medal winner is beaten by a little-known CLUB RUNNER

Sir Mo Farah’s return to competitive action ended with defeat by club runner Ellis Cross at the Vitality London 10,000.

Farah was racing for the first time since failing to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics last June and he was unable to outkick 26-year-old Cross over the final stages.

Farah, 39, finished in 28 minutes and 44 seconds, a minute outside his best time on the road, and was non-committal afterwards about his plans for the rest of the season.

Farah was racing for the first time since failing to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics last June

Cross, a runner who was not even part of the official elite field and wore a bib with the number 219 on it rather than his name, finished two seconds ahead of Farah.

Britain’s four-time Olympic gold medal winner has repeatedly hinted he would like to represent his country one last time before retirement, and this summer presents three opportunities in the World Championships, Commonwealth Games and European Championships.

Although his latest defeat will bring doubts of whether or not he can even qualify for that standard of event anymore. 

Ellis Cross, who was not even part of the elite field finished two seconds ahead of Sir Mo Farah

Farah spoke to BBC following his defeat, and said: ‘It’s a tough one. It’s your body, Your body has to be ready. You have to be ready to compete with these guys.

‘Today was a tough day. Ellis did really well to beat me. But you have to see where you are. That’s where I am now.

‘You’ve got to take it race by race and let the body see what you can do. I’m not young any more.’

Winner Ellis Cross said: ‘I’ve beaten somebody who is an idol. He’s known throughout the world and I’ve just beaten him over his prime distance. 

‘I didn’t quite follow the script today, but to pull it off and win it, I’m delighted.’