A YOUNG runner is on a fast track to success after smashing a national record - on just his second attempt.

Clovis Asong, 14, had spent just one training session preparing for the 400 metre event when he completed the run in 48.86 seconds.

His time broke the previous national record for an under-15 by more than a second.

Mum Beatrice Efuet, from Blackley, said that she had been `so proud' to watch Clovis's record-breaking run at the English Schools Championship in Sheffield.

"I never push him to train," she said. "But he has a natural talent. It comes from within. He just loves to do it.

"He already is a great role model to his brothers and I hope he will be a great inspiration to other young people."

Danny Gray, Clovis's coach at the Sale Harriers, said that he could never have predicted the youngster would break the national record after just one training session.

"To watch him cross the finish line was better than doing it myself," he said. "It was like a dream come true. The buzz of being at that event was just overwhelming."

Mr Gray added that when Clovis received his gold medal, the modest teenager didn't want to put it on, but instead just slipped it into his pocket.

"He knows he's good, but it's almost as if he doesn't understand what he's achieved," he said.

"It's like it's just another day for him."

As well as running, the Blackley teenager competes in the shot putt, long jump, hurdles and high jump and is an outstanding badminton and basketball player.

The only sport he is not keen on is swimming.

Clovis is originally from Cameroon but is now a registered British citizen and would be able to represent Britain at the next Olympics.

Coach Danny Gray said that while competing at the next Olympics might be too soon for the 14-year-old, there was no telling what he might achieve.

He said: "Clovis competing in 2012 is probably a little too quick.

"But having said that, he's done that many things so far that we haven't expected that it's impossible to say he can't do it.

"He has shocked us all before, so who's to say he can't do it again?"

Mike Leader, deputy headteacher at Our Lady's Sports College in Higher Blackley, said Clovis manages to keep up with his schoolwork despite a hectic training schedule.

He enjoys science and maths and relaxes by listening to hip-hop.

"Clovis is a gentle giant, and very quiet," said the proud teacher. "But potentially he's an absolutely unbelievable talent."

The senior world record is held by Michael Johnson who ran the distance in 43.18 seconds more than 10 years ago.