Mo Farah has become the second fastest 5,000 metres athlete in British history but is still pleading for patience from those expecting him to take European distancerunning by storm.

Somalia-born, Hounslowraised Farah clocked 13 minutes and 9.4seconds in Heusden, Belgium, on Saturday night, putting him behind only David Moorcroft as this country's all-time quickest.

The 23-year-old is also second behind Ireland's Alister Cragg in this year's European rankings, making him an obvious contender for the continental champion-ships in Gothenburg next month.

Farah, whose new regime incorporates a "no parties, no drinking, no silly things" lifestyle, lives in Teddington with a group of like-minded Kenyan athletes, including Heusden winner Micah Kogo.

"I hope nobody starts to hang a European Championships medal round my neck now," he said.

"I set out aiming to get under 13:20 and qualify for Gothenburg."

Farah's new recipe for success includes a sensible balance between enjoyment off the track and a commitment to training.

"You've got to have a social life and go out with your mates, but the priority is running," he said.

"I'm training twice every day, having massages after each one, doing some core stability exercises, a little bit of weight training - and sleeping. That's all.

"Staying injury-free is important. But I know I still have a lot to learn and a long way to go, especially in world terms.

"What happens in Gothenburg just depends on the day. I may be up there with those guys now, but a lot of them have much more experience than me." n Three of the Norwich Union Great Britain and Northern Ireland team performed well at a combined events international in Berne, Switzerland, to make huge bids for places in this summer's championships.

Louise Hazel of Peterborough scored 5,887 points to beat the UK Athletics development standard for the European Championships heptathlon in her bid to join Commonwealth champion Kelly Sotherton and bronze medallist Jessica Ennis in the team for the European Championships Gothenburg.

And the qualifying standards for next month's World Junior Championships in Beijing were reached by Daniel Awde, who scored 7,382 in the decathlon, and Dominique Blaize, who accumulated 5,405 in the heptathlon. * Asafa Powell laid down his challenge to joint world record-holder Justin Gatlin: 'I'm ready and waiting to take you on'.

Both men have run 9.77seconds for the 100 metres this season and they were due to go head-to-head at next week's Norwich Union Grand Prix at Crystal Palace until Gatlin pulled out injured.

Gatlin also missed the Athens Grand Prix with a leg strain - after which Powell accused the American Olympic champion of avoiding him.

"I'd like to get it over and done with, and any time he's ready, I'm waiting," said Powell.

"A lot of people are looking forward to it. This can be one of the greatest showdowns the world has ever seen.

"We just need to make a date and do it."

Jamaican sprinter Powell ran 9.77secs for the second time in his career at Gates-head on June 4 and is convinced he can go faster.