MO FARAH'S mates knew he was going to be a long distance running star from the moment he won a school cross country – then went around the course again!

Farah, who completed a famous Olympic double on Saturday night when he added 5,000m gold to his 10,000m title, first showed his raw talent at Feltham Community College.

In his class at the Browells Lane school was James Woods, who played England schoolboys football and now plays for local non-league club Hanworth Villa.

Woods said: “We knew Mo was something special when he won the cross country in Year 9, which was held at Terminal Hill in Bedfont back then.

“He just jogged around but won comfortably, and then, while the rest of us were on our knees, he went around again with the Year 10s.

“Anyone who was at Feltham between 1995 and 2000 knew who Mo was. He was a friendly guy who just wanted to play football, he wasn't really into running.

“Considering he came over from Somalia not speaking a word of English, it is amazing how eloquent and polite he is when you see him speaking now.

“We obviously don't see Mo around much now since he moved to America, but whenever he is around he always stops for a chat with a big smile, and he's always more interested in what you're doing than talking about what he's been up to.”

It was certainly a sporty year at Feltham Community College – as well as Farah and Woods, it produced professional golfer Adam Stacey and former London Broncos coach Adam Flint, who is now working in rugby league in Australia.

Woods said: “For Mo, it was down to a great PE teacher in Alan Watkinson, But for me, it was down to good coaching at Bedfont Eagles; for Adam, it was down to his dad; and Andy didn't really get into rugby until we went to university up north and they noticed his physique.”

Olympic marathon runner Scott Overall, who used to train alongside Farah with the old Borough of Hounslow AC at Feltham Arenas, also paid tribute to his friend.

Overall, who was an usher at Farah's wedding, said: “Mo always had talent, but he has also worked very hard to get where he has today. We are still good friends and I'm very proud.

“I was at the marathon holding camp in Portugal when he won the 10k, but I managed to catch his 5k win on the television. I wasn't in the stadium as my race was the next day.”