Murray excels to finish second in first ten-mile run

The performance makes Murray the UK's fifth fastest performer and Scotland's second fastest runner, only behind Liz McColgan's time of exactly 52 minutes achieved in the 1997 Great South Run.

Kenyan Grace Momyani, crowned Commonwealth 10,000 metres gold medallist at the beginning of the month, won the race in 52:03 and missed out on her personal best by just 12 seconds.

Murray was fifth behind Momyani in their track encounter in Delhi and yesterday exceeded the hopes of her USA-based coach Steve Jones - the British marathon record holder.

"I couldn't believe it, I didn't know what to expect in my first race at the distance," said Murray after being advised to run by Jones following a tough training session on Wednesday night. "I spoke with Steve on the telephone and he told me to get out there and mix it, give it my best shot.

"When Grace broke away (Aniko] Kalovics was still running strongly and I was determined to stay with her. I just kept telling myself go, go, go - and it paid off when I got clear at halfway and that made me more determined to stay in front.

"I'm amazed to have run so quickly as I was tired after Delhi. But it was something new and has certainly told me a lot about myself and longer distances."

Fellow Scot Stephanie Twell, the Commonwealth 1,500m bronze medallist, was happy with her sixth placing. Twell, who makes no secret she will ultimately take to the roads and hopefully follow in the footsteps of world marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe, clocked 53:52. She said: "I ran a conservative race as to be honest all my training this summer has been based around 1,500m - which is not exactly the best preparations for this distance.

"But I did feel comfortable throughout the race and it was something new for me to do. Yes, I will move up eventually to longer distances but not for the moment."