Farah looking beyond 2012

Last year's double European champion is a new athlete since moving his young family to the USA to work under renowned coach Alberto Salazar.

He has won eight consecutive races on track and road, including Diamond League wins in Eugene, Birmingham and Monaco - with a 5,000m British record at the playboy's principality last week proving that the 28-year old is a now a genuine high roller on the world stage.

But next season, with the Olympics as its focus, marks the turning point of his career as he prepares to make the transition from track to road, buoyed by a maiden half marathon victory in New York earlier this year.

Britain has lacked a world-class marathon runner for some time - Charlie Speeding was the last Olympic medallist over the distance back in 1984 and Steve Jones briefly held the world record back in 1985.

"I think 2012 will probably be my last track season, Ill probably move up to the marathon from 2013 onwards," said Farah. 

"I don't know if some people leave it too late it just depends on what you can do with the body and whether you can stay injury free.

"You have to keep progressing the way I see it is that if you're not getting any faster why not step up, but if you are getting faster then stay where you are.

"The marathon has always been part of my plan you know after watching London and taking part as a youngster I've always wanted to compete in the marathon."

Farah remembers hearing about London's successful Olympic bid after pulling over to listen to the announcement in a motorway services car park six years ago - although his experiences of the event back in Beijing, when he failed to make the 5,000m final, aren't so happy.

However, under the canny guidance of Salazar he is increasingly looking like one of Charles van Commenee's top medal hopes next summer - and you have go back to Mike McLeod 27 years ago for the last British medallist in a long-distance event.

"Alberto is a great guy and is really helpful and as a result I am really enjoying my running," said Farah.

"He's quite tough you definitely have to get on with work.

"But he doesn't ask you to do what you're unable to do he just asked you to do what you're capable of and as an athlete you end up wanting to do more."