Craig Mottram has honed his preparations for the world championships with a win in the 5000m at the London leg of the Diamond League.

Despite lacking a world class field, Mottram produced a solid final kilometre of 2:36 to break away for a four second victory in a time of 13:23.97.

“I’ve got a lot of work to do,” Mottram conceded after the race.

“But I’m back and able to train and I’m out here racing so it’s moving in the right direction.”

The Australian record holder indicated that the race was an important stepping stone towards the world championships, and ultimately, next year’s Olympic Games.

“I was just hoping to get some practice for Daegu,” Mottram said.

“Semis at majors can be tricky races - slow early and then fast - a little bit like tonight. I wanted to do what I’m going to need to do to make the world championships final.

"Just to come and run at Crystal Palace again is great and if I make the final at worlds that will be fantastic. If I don’t I will get going again and look to London.”

In other distance action Collis Birmingham was third (7:45.04) and Ben St Lawrence seventh (7:52.96) in the 3000m, won by Britian’s Mo Farah in 7:40.15. Youcef Abdi recorded a solid fifth placing in 8:27.88 in the 3000m steeplechase, while Tamsyn Manou was run down in the home straight in the women’s 800m B-race after leading through the bell in 58.35 seconds. The 17-time Australian champion placed second in 2:02.24.

The meet continues tomorrow with Sally Pearson in action in the 100m hurdles and Ryan Gregson and James Kaan taking part in the famed Emsley Carr mile.