Athletics: Farah faces tough task

The British international Mohamed Farah knows that claiming a top-three place in today's Belfast International Cross-Country race will be tough.

The British international Mohamed Farah knows that claiming a top-three place in today's Belfast International Cross-Country race will be tough.

Farah is enjoying a successful winter season. But the European Under-23 5,000 metres silver medallist knows making an impression will be difficult with four highly rated Kenyans on the Stormont Castle start line.

"It won't be easy," said Farah, who faces Ernest Meli Kimeli, Barnabas Kosgei, Luke Kipkosgei and Hillary Chenonge. "I just want to have a solid run and see how it goes," said the talented Somalian-born 21-year-old, who came to this country in 1993 but has still to realise his true potential.

Kipkosgei, 29, is the most experienced of the Kenyan squad having won the 2002 World Cross-Country short-course silver medal in Dublin. But Chenonge, 19, also looks dangerous, although the former world junior 5,000m champion is still experimenting as a cross-country runner.