Can Farah Force It In 5000m?

HOPEFUL: Distance legend David Moorcroft is hoping that Mo Farah can finally beat his British 5000m record.

London, August 10, 2006 – BRITISH distance legend David Moorcroft has backed Mo Farah to become a legend in his own right following his sensational performances in his breakthrough year at senior level, writes LUKE WILSON.

The former 5000m world record holder has already seen enough of the Newham & Essex Beagles star to suggest that greatness awaits the 2001 European Junior champion.

Farah recently climbed to second in the British all-time list at 5000m when he slashed his lifetime best by over 20 seconds to 13mins 09.40secs in Heusden, Belgium.

Only Moorcroft's world record-setting run of 13mins 00.41secs at the Bislett Games in Oslo in 1982 stands between Farah and the British record and the UK Athletics Chief Executive is expectantly awaiting his mark to be beaten.

"The sooner he beats my record the better as far as I'm concerned," Moorcroft revealed.

"When I set my record back in 1982 I was hoping that it would remain a world record for a short while, which it did.

"I also hoped that it would stay as the British record for a while but I definitely didn't want it to remain unbeaten for as long as it has."

Moorcroft, who is undoubtedly one of the greatest distance runners that Britain has ever produced, has been watching Farah's progression for some time now and believes that his dynamic displays this season are the reward for his fantastic talent.

"I first saw Mo as a schoolboy when he was winning countless young athletes' events," he recalled.

"I saw back then that he had some potential but it is often difficult for young stars to make the transition between junior and senior level but Mo has now made that transition.

"He ran a really good 3000m in Gateshead and followed that up with a good run at the European Cup.

"Clocking 13.09 is an exceptional time and it would have given him an enormous amount of confidence."

At 23, Farah is a full six years younger than the Coventry legend was when he set his world mark 24 years ago and Moorcroft is confident that the best is yet to come from the Somalia-born star.

"The fact that Mo's still only 23 is great," he enthused. "I was about 29 when I broke the world record, so for Mo to have come so close to that mark so early is fantastic.

"He's got another five to six years to compete at the highest level and although all the other top 5000m are about the same age, I feel that he has the opportunity to put himself amongst the best."

Farah cites a change of lifestyle as the source of his new-found success at senior level and having eradicated the tempting distractions of his busy social life to focus on his running, he is now in the form of his life.

Moorcroft believes that it is this mature decision coupled with his current cohabitation with Kenya's rising distance stars of the like of Micah Kogo that could see him really make his mark on the world scene.

"Everything he does has to be concentrated on his athletics," he advised. "He has to concern himself with where his athletics is going and what he wants from his career.

"In endurance events in particular, mental strength is the key and the world of athletics has changed as a whole since my days."

With the curtain being raised on the European Championships in Gothenburg on Monday, Farah gave himself the perfect confidence boost with his dynamic display at last Friday's London Grand Prix.

Taking on a world-class field in the 1500m, the Beagles star nearly pulled off a remarkable victory, eventually settling for third place in a season's best of 3mins 39.02secs.

"Tonight was all about speed work for the longer distances and I was happy with the way I performed out there," he said afterwards.

"The season has gone really well. Things are moving towards the right direction and obviously I'm now concentrating for the Europeans. I'm only 23 and I still have a lot to learn."

Farah is currently ranked as Europe's number two behind Ireland's Alistair Cragg and the Beagles star's unassuming manner has been given more strength by Moorcroft's words of wisdom.

"Rankings count for nothing when it comes to a one-off race," he said.

"It's unlikely to be run at 13.09 pace (in Gothenburg) and although Mo is ranked number two, he shouldn't take anything for granted and use this as an opportunity to put himself amongst the best.

Source: The Newham Recorder

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