Teddington-based Craig Mottram, who has been left out of Australia’s team for next month’s Commonwealth Games, raced to a narrow win in the Great Yorkshire Run in Sheffield on Sunday.

Mottram, who is one of the endurance coaches at St Mary’s Twickenham, pipped Britain’s European 10,000m silver medallist in a sprint finish.

Thompson saw himself outsprinted by Mottram, who snatched victory by one second in 28 minutes, 50 seconds.

Mottram beat a top-class field, which also included former Olympic marathon champion Stefano Baldini, of Italy, and Spaniard Chema Martinez, last month’s European Marathon silver medallist.

The fast finishing pair broke clear of the field after eight kilometres before Mottram pulled away for his narrow victory.

“Chris went out very quickly from the start to test the other guys and it was only at three kilometres that I settled into the rhythm of the race,” said Mottram, who is returning to top form after being sidelined last year with a serious Achilles injury.

“The pace slowed at 5km when running into the wind and he surged aggressively.

“But I managed to stay with him and got away on one of the hills.”

Mottram, a former world 5,000m bronze medallist, is perplexed at his omission from the Australian squad.

He said: “Ask them (the selectors) why. I asked them to keep a place open for me but they didn’t do so.

“I will head back home after the City Games and get myself ready for next year’s World Championships.”