Mo Farah hails his victory at Crystal Palace

Farah cruises to Grand Prix win

Thursday, July 19, 2012
12:00 PM

With just a fortnight until he steps onto the track at the Olympic Stadium, Beagles Mo Farah is another who seems to be hitting the right form when it matters.

The 29-year-old raced away from the rest of the field to win the 5,000m at the London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace on Friday in a time of 13 minutes 6.04 seconds, almost four seconds clear of nearest rival Collis Birmingham from Australia.

On his success, Farah said: “It wasn’t about times tonight –conditions weren’t great. It’s important now that I keep working and get a good block of training in, but I can’t overdo or underdo it now.”

Over the last few weeks Farah has spent time in Font Romeu in the French Pyrenees as he prepares for the biggest races of his life.

And he is happy with how the preparations have gone with the Olympics just weeks away.

“Training’s been going well so I’m looking forward to the Games,” added the 5,000m world champion.

■ Other Newham & Essex Beagles who are set to represent Team GB at the Olympics were also in action at the Grand Prix over the weekend with many disappointing.

In the pole vault, Steve Lewis could only manage 5.40 metres for eighth, while in the discus, Abdul Buhari was seventh with 60.25m as he had to settle for second best in the British stakes, with youngster Lawrence Okoye third on 63.33m.

James Ellington competed over 200m and was eighth in 20.87 in an event won by France’s Christophe Lemaitre in 19.91.

Ellington also finished behind fellow GB runners Danny Talbot and Marlon Devonish.

He was also part of the 4x100m relay team which got a chance to practice and alongside Christian Malcolm, Dwain Chambers and Mark Lewis-Francis finished fourth in a time of 38.80.

However, there was one pleasing performance from long jumper JJ Jegede, who although he isn’t going to the Olympics, jumped a new personal best of 8.11m for fifth.