Farah keen to build on flying start to 3000m season

Feb 7 2009 by Ken Montgomery, Birmingham Mail

MO FARAH says there is more to come this year after breaking the national indoor 3000 metres record last weekend.

Farah got his year off to a flyer in Glasgow by shaving 0.1seconds off John Mayock’s indoor United Kingdom best and posting a new record of seven minutes 40.99 seconds.

The 25-year-old will next be in action over 1500m at the Aviva European Trials in Sheffield a week today, before returning to the 3000m at the Aviva Grand Prix in Birmingham on February 21.

And after the disappointment of his failure to make last year’s Olympic 5000m final, Farah is confident that he can deliver on his undoubted talent in 2009.

He said: “The experience of just going to an Olympic Games and making the team certainly gives me positives to take away.

‘‘I now know a bit more what to expect and what I need to do.

“After beating the 3000m record, I’m looking forward to running the 1500m in Sheffield. I believe I can go faster and will certainly be looking to beat the 3000m mark again soon.

“I’m looking forward to the Aviva Grand Prix in Birmingham, it’s building to be a great meet. It will also be my last race before the Europeans so it will be a great opportunity to mix in with the guys and see where I stand.”

Farah has also admitted he is enjoying working under the new endurance team at UK Athletics, headed by former Olympic bronze medallist Ian Stewart.

He added: “The new endurance set-up is going really well, I get on really well with Ian Stewart and it’s good because he’s been there and done that as an athlete, so it’s great to learn from him.

‘‘To have his experience and knowledge to call upon is great.”

■ Tickets for the Aviva European Trials and UK Championships at the EIS, Sheffield on February 14-15 are available by phone on 08000 556 056 or online at www.ukathletics.net