Mo Farah produced the fastest 10,000 metres performance by a British athlete for eight years when finishing fifth in the Stanford Cardinal Invitation meeting.

Farah, making his debut over the distance, clocked an encouraging 27 minutes 44.54 seconds, a time which was last bettered when Karl Keska ran 27:44.09secs for eighth place in the 2000 Olympic Games final.

The European 5000m silver medallist's display at the Californian venue was also the first occasion a Brit had broken the 28-minute barrier for five years since Keska was ninth at the World Championships in Paris with a mark of 27:47.89secs.

Farah, who prepared for the race in the United States after finishing second in the Carlsbad 5000m road race a month ago, has already announced he will concentrate on the shorter distance at this summer's Beijing Olympics.

Australia's Craig Mottram claimed victory in 27:34.48secs ahead of Gunther Weidlinger who set an Austrian record of 27:36.46secs and Josphat Boit of Kenya who recorded 27:36.46secs.

Andrew Lemoncello, who is based in the United States and topped the UK rankings in 2006 and 2007, failed to finish.

Kate Reed, also debuting over 10000m, was ninth in a time of 31:31.87secs, making her the fifth fastest-ever British woman at the 25-lap distance.

Shalane Flanagan won ahead of Kim Smith with a superb USA record of 30:34.49secs.

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