Farah sweeps off to flying start in Boston

Mo Farah has staged an impressive return to track action as he came a close runner-up over 3000m in 7:35.81 behind Ethiopian Dejen Gebremeskel (who ran almost the entire length of the race on one shoe!) at the New Balance Grand Prix in Boston, falling slightly shy of his UK record of 7:34.47 set in 2009 at that. That was his fastest ever season opener by a long way to shape further sound evidence that the double European distance champion is now taking his game to the very top level, aiming to blaze a trail into the medals at the Worlds in Daegu.

Farah surged straight into fifth in the global rankings and mounted the top of the European lists on his time but could still leave it late to decide whether to defend his title in Paris early next month. On the strength of his display, however, both the UK and the European records look like shaking and his for the taking should he make another outing over the distance.

Lee Emanuel, who hasn't yet clicked into gear, came home way back in ninth in a solid 7:56.22 while Mark Draper finished a place behind outside 8 mins in 8:03.17.

In the women's equivalent, Sally Kipyego (KEN) carved out a new world-leading figure of 8:49.74 leaving Jenny Simpson in second place in 8:50.78.

European Cup winner Colin McCourt ended up ninth in the men's mile in 4:04.97 (3:48.35 at 1500m) where the American duo of Russell Brown (3:54.81) and Darren Heath (3:55.87) saw off the challenge of Olympic silver medallist Nick Willis (NZL), third in 3:56.29.

Natasha Hastings improved to 51.88 secs in winning the 400m while Jenn Suhr went one better than her season debut to claim the women's pole vault at 4.61m.

Finally, Lauryn Williams fought it out with Marshevet Myers in the women's 60m where a mere hundredth separated them on the line, 7.17 to 7.18 secs, with Trell Kimmons comfortably taking the men's dash in 6.60 secs.

Full results:
http://www.flashresults.com/2011_Meets/indoor/02-05-NewBalanceGP/