Australian ace Craig Mottram warmed up for his fourth Olympic Games by winning the elite race at the Iffley Road Festival of Miles.

The 2005 world championship 5,000m bronze medallist took the honours in 4mins 1.28secs on his way to London 2012 at the event hosted by Oxford University Athletics Club and the British Milers’ Club (BMC).

He led from gun to tape to cross the line ahead of Great Britain junior international Matthew Fayers, who produced the run of his life to finish a close second in 4.01.53.

Dave Bishop, a GB senior who earlier this year won a UK Athletics invitational 3000m race at the London Prepares test event in the Olympic Stadium, was third in 4.02.76.

Oxford Brookes student Dan Studley and and Oxford University’s Jake Shelley provided local interest in the race, both running under 4.15.

Bath University’s Rosie Clarke took the elite women’s race in 4.54.38 to move up to fifth in the UK Under 23 rankings.

Oxford City’s Ben Upjohn won his race from clubmate Aaron Burgess in 4.40.55.

There was also controversy when Steve Naylor, from Woodstock, was disqualified for too much twitching on the start line.

An angry Naylor said: “I am going to complain as it was a joke.

“I couldn't believe it when I was asked to leave the track.”

A final highlight were the BMC’s annual Frank Horwill and Peter Coe miles.

The best male and female young athletes from around the country were invited to compete for the trophies named after famous British middle distance coaches.

East Kent’s Bobby Clay took the girl’s trophy, while Shaftsbury Harriers’ Liam Dee won the boy’s race.

Meeting organiser Chris McGurk summarised the logic behind setting the races up.

STEVE Naylor had enjoyed better fortune when he won his first British Milers’ Club event over 5,000m in Coventry. Running for Bedford & County, the Woodstock athlete produced a strong finish to triumph in 14mins 54.57secs.

Abingdon Amblers’ Daniel Hamilton was ffth in a personal best 15.34.13.