Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Athletics
Luke Davies
An athletics record previously held by Sir Mo Farah has been smashed by the son of a former England and Premier League player.
Farah, 42, is widely considered to be one of Britain’s best distance runners of all time and really shot to fame during the 2012 London Olympics, in which he won the men’s 10,000 and 5,000m events in front of a home crowd.
The 42-year-old was the world record holder for the one-hour run, European record holder for outdoor 10,000m and also held British records for the 3,000m (7:32.62) and 5,000m (12:53.11), setting the latter in 2011.
But on Thursday, his British 5,000m was finally broken by the son of a former Premier League star.
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George Mills, son of former Leeds United, Manchester City and England right-back Danny Mills, ran a time of 12:46.59 at the Diamond League meeting in Oslo, Norway.
While breaking Farah’s record, Mills, 26, shaved 12 seconds off his own personal best time.
Speaking after the race, the 26-year-old said: “The national record was definitely one of the things I came for.
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"I did not get the other two – the European record and the win, but I was close to both and taking 12 seconds off my personal best, so I am delighted with that.”
He added: “I felt I took the race on well, being patient and building momentum, which was my focus tonight. My team has drummed this into me, and I kept saying it to myself, especially at the start when I didn't feel so good, but I got more and more into the race and had the courage to take it on and be aggressive.
“I am pleased with that and having the courage to do that. I like to assert myself on races. So that's what I was able to do.
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“The race was stacked and billed as a world record attempt, so to be in the mix was important. I head to Stockholm now for a 1500m, which is also going to be tough in a strong field, but this is all good preparation for the World Champs.
"I now have the [qualifying] standard, so I can relax a little. My target for the season is a global medal, and this shows I am in the right space.”
Speaking to The Athletic back in 2024, Danny, 48, who boasts 19 England caps, explained how George has had a passion for running from a young age.
“His school threw him into 800m races,” Danny said. “He was really decent at football and, like most lads in the football team, he was quite fit and could run. He had a little bit of success, and it snowballed from there.”
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And the family’s sporting prowess does not stop there, as George’s younger brother Stanley, 21, came through the ranks at Everton and currently plays for Championship side Oxford United.