Zaf Shah has touched the podium, seen the track, entered the stadium and is now desperate to fulfil his Commonwealth Games dream.

The Bradford athlete, running for Pakistan in this summer's Manchester festivities, had an early taste of glory at a recent visit to the Games' venue.

The 10,000m runner was invited to the City of Manchester Stadium for some pre-Games publicity, and was impressed with what he saw.

"One word describes that place - awesome," said the Liget Green-based 28-year-old, who will be running the race of his life as a role model for young Asians.

"They are still putting some finishing touches to the place, but it is already a very impressive venue.

"And I can't wait to run there. I would run tomorrow if I could. Now I have been inside the stadium, everything seems so real for me.

"As the big day approaches I am getting more and more excited. It is my big chance to do something positive for this city.

"I want to go out there and be number one."

Although recently setting a new personal best of 30.03mins, there is still a wide gulf between Shah and his rivals, the winning time is likely to be of the sub-29 minute variety.

But he has shaved two minutes off his time in recent months, and now trains three times a day, six days a week.

"I am training very hard now," said Shah.

"Training three times a week is probably more than most others. I am doing everything I can to be in peak condition for this event.

"I am feeling as good as I ever have, my speed work is good, my strength work is good. I just need to avoid injury and then I will be there."

Shah, recently selected to take part in the Queen's Jubilee Baton Relay, has added chasing a man on a mountain bike to his training routine as he hones his body ready for the big event.

But his aim throughout all of this is to "put Bradford on the map".

"I am British through and through," said the former Great Britain taekwondo captain.

"I am a Bradfordian and I am doing this an example to young people in the city.

"It has been a terrible time for this city with the riots and I want to show people that there are some great things about this city."

Shah is waiting to hear back from the Pakistani authorities on whether or not he will be allowed to carry the flag at the opening ceremony.

"It would be an enormous honour to be selected to carry the flag into the stadium as part of the opening ceremony," added Shah.

"Were I to be selected by Pakistan to carry the national flag it would really help me get my message across - and show what one person can achieve if they put their mind to it."