Australian record holder Mottram edges out Thompson in Sheffield

It was Barcelona silver medallist Thompson who forced the early pace leading the 8000 strong field through 3000 metres in 8:25. Mottram was always close and, for a while, Andrew Lemoncello, Scotand's No 1 also posed a threat.

In the last two kilometres, the lead changed hands as both Thompson and Mottram surged in an effort to get clear. The tough finish, up a slight incline, saw both athletes going flat out and it was Mottram who got to the line first, although only by a second. The winning time, 28:50, was 20 seconds down on last year's winning time but the runners had a troublesome headwind in the return half of the "out and back" course which started and finished in Sheffield City Centre.

Finland's Jussi Utrianen made up ground in the final stages to snatch third place ahead of Lemoncello. Ireland's Gary Thornton was fifth and former Olympic Marathon champion Stefano Baldini completed the top half dozen.

Freya Murray (Chester le Street) won the women's race for the second successive year after a close race with young Aldershot runner Charlotte Purdue. A superb 21st overall, Murray prevailed by five seconds in 33:01 after losing to her younger rival in a track race a week earlier. The two clash again in the Commonwealth Games, Murray running in the colours of Scotland.

Usain Bolt is plotting a career as a professional footballer once he has fulfilled his ambitions in athletics.

The 24-year-old Jamaican is hoping to clock 9.4secs in the 100m after setting the world record of 9.58secs last year.

Once he has achieved what he views as an unassailable time, he will then turn his attention to football.

"When I finish I'd like to play football for two years. I always watch those guys and I think I could be a professional footballer," he said."