DOUBLE-GOLD winner Mo Farah has pulled out of the Great North Run, explaining that he has bee – after being left too tired to train by his twin baby daughters.

The Olympic hero is to instead race a shorter distance and will also be among the honorary starters at the beginning of the 13-mile event.

Aisha and Amani were born on August 24, weeks after Farah won the 10,000m and 5,000m at London 2012.

A spokesman for Nova International, which organises the Bupa Great North Run Farah said: “I’m sorry not to be able to take part in the Bupa Great North Run but the last few weeks have taken their toll and it would be disrespectful to take on the distance without the necessary hard training.

“Of course I’ll be delighted to take part on the Saturday afternoon, before high fiving as many people as possible on Sunday morning!”

Also out of the Great North Run is Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie.

He won the event in 2010, but has withdrawn due to a knee injury.

Farah will run a two-mile event at the Great North CityGames on the Newcastle- Gateshead Quayside and will join a number of Olympic champions in starting the Great North Run.

Also present will be rower Kat Copeland, from Ingleby Barwick, Leeds boxer Nicola Adams, long jumper Greg Rutherford and Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds on the start line.

Copeland said: “It’s a massive privilege to be invited to be one of the honorary starters of the Bupa Great North Run and will be another highlight of an incredible few weeks for me.

“I think the atmosphere on the day will match that at Eton Dorney last month.”

Brendan Foster, chairman of Nova International, said: “London 2012 inspired the nation and these four talented individuals encapsulated the spirit of the Games.

“We’re thrilled they will be joining us in Newcastle for the Bupa Great North Run and its a great chance for the North East to celebrate Team GBs success.”