It’s just over a month since Carlisle athlete Tom Farrell achieved his target for the year – the chance to run for his county in the Olympic Games.

Now the clock is ticking for the Border Harriers runner who will be competing in the 5,000 metres in Rio next month alongside double Olympian Mo Farah.

His last competitive run before the Olympics was actually against Farah on Saturday in a Diamond League meeting in London where he finished down the field in 14th.

He says: “I knew going into the race that I had only just come off a big phase of training. It was still slightly disappointing not performing better on the day, but this year, it is about one event and one event only.”

That’s the 5,000 metres and at the moment Tom doesn’t know who he will be up against.

“The heat sheets will not be released until around 48 hours before the first round. The 5km is a very strong event at the moment and it is hard to put one name as a leading light,” he says.

The 25-year-old Cumbrian, like lots more competitors in Brazil, is living the dream in contesting an Olympic Games. Obviously he wants to go as far as possible but as he any specific targets regards heats and times?

“Making the final would be the first step and I would like to think that it is possible. It won’t be easy as everyone steps their game up in an Olympic year but if I get past the first stage then performing as well as I can in the final will be great.

“I don’t want to put a number, time or place on it as once that gun goes off in the final anything can happen.

“It’s great seeing what Mo has done, it gives me confidence knowing that it is possible for a fellow Brit to be dominant on the world stage.”

Preparations have gone well with training all focused on Rio since October last year.

“I only qualified for the Games on Saturday 25th June, so there hasn’t been too much time for much to take place.

“I am currently preparing for Rio in Font-Romeu which is a small ski town in the Pyrenees at about 6000ft elevation.

“I am here with the majority of the British Endurance Olympic team, with a great set up with physio and other medical staff to look after our bodies and get us to the start line in one working piece,” he says.

It’s hardly surprising that Tom found his way into athletics as dad Dave Farrell was a very good steeple-chaser while his mother Jennifer was a talented high jumper.

So looking back at his career so far, mam and dad figure prominently on the list of people who has had the biggest influence

“It’s hard to put one name on who has been the biggest influencer. The people who have had the biggest influence in my career to date would have to be my parents, my current coach Mark Rowland and previous coaches Dave Smith and John Clementson (who is still currently a voluntary Border Harriers coach).

How does Tom see his career developing after Rio and what’s next on the agenda?

He says: “Considering my age and the age when 5000m runners have their best years, it would suggest that I’ve got another Olympic cycle in me.

“I would be 29 by the time Tokyo comes round. Saying that, nobody knows what is going to happen between now and then.

“On the short term horizon it would be great to compete at the London 2017 World Championships next year in the Olympic Stadium, after the atmosphere that I experienced on Saturday. It would be electric to compete at a major championship in there.”

Tom’s parents and sister are going to be over in Rio to support him, and the rest of the Great Britain competitors.

“It will be great for them to experience the Olympics with me. As for other Cumbrians out there I’m not sure yet, but they will have to let me know on my twitter (@TomFarrellGB) and give me a good loud shout in Rio,” he says.

OLYMPIC FACT FILE

Name: Tom Farrell

Born: 23rd March 1991

Birthplace: Carlisle

Event: 5000m

Height: 5ft 11

Education: Austin Friars School, Oklahoma State University

Ambition: To medal on a world stage

Best Performance of career: Qualifying for the 5000m final at the World Championships in Beijing last year.

Major Achievements: Competed in the Commonwealth, Europeans and World Champs finals (hoping to add Olympic to that soon). U23 European Silver over 5000m. 6th Ranked all time in the UK over 5000m.

How to Relax: Getting drone footage and putting together mini videos - find them on Instagram @tomfarrell1

Unusual Fact: Complete tech geek and coffee snob.