Farah eager for 2012 challenge after his triumphant return

(PA )

The world 5,000 metres champion Mo Farah and 1,500m silver medallist Hannah England were victorious on the Newcastle-Gateshead Quayside on Saturday afternoon but could not prevent the United States edging Great Britain 7-3 at the Great North City Games.

Farah passed up the chance to appear at a potentially lucrative Diamond League meeting in Brussels on Friday night in order to compete in front of the enthusiastic Tyneside crowd on his first appearance since picking up gold in Daegu earlier this month.

The 28-year-old duly eased to victory in the men's two-mile race in a time of 8 minutes 37.72 seconds from American duo Brian Olinger and Jeff See. "I wanted to come back home," Farah said. "I love Newcastle – it's a great crowd here for one last race and I just want a break now. I'll just have a couple of weeks' break and then start the new season slowly.

"You've got to forget about it [the World Championships] and focus on next year – 2012 is a big year so I'm looking forward to it. I've got to stay injury-free and stay positive and keep doing what I'm doing."

England looked full of confidence after her surprise second-placed finish in Daegu and dug deep to lead a British one-two in the women's mile. European indoor champion Helen Clitheroe was second with American Trenier Moser third and Britain's Jenny Meadows fourth.

"I had a great time," England said after clocking a winning time of 4min 39.49sec for her third straight win at the event. "Even warming up, everyone was saying 'congratulations for the World Championships'. It's just exciting and it's such a nice thing to have."

Looking ahead to next summer's London Olympics, she added: "It's just so fun because I know I'm doing right thing. I've got to keep doing the same things I'm doing. I'm going to aim for some really quick times next year and hopefully get to that Olympic final in the best shape possible."

There was also a British one-two in the men's 100m, where Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (10.27sec) edged Christian Malcolm (10.45sec). "I was just really happy to get up and run a decent race," said Aikines-Aryeetey. "It shows what a decent event this is."

Four of the top five from Daegu lined up in the men's 110m hurdles, with world champion Jason Richardson smashing the competition record to triumph in 13.16sec.