Kelly Holmes outsprinted her rivals for an unexpected victory in Saturday's BUPA Mile in Newcastle.

Holmes proved herself the fastest finisher in a race to celebrate the 21st birthday of Sunday's Great North Run.

She won in four minutes 40 seconds, ahead of Natalya Gorelova and another Russian Olga Komyagina in third.

"There's no way I thought I was in winning shape," Holmes smiled afterwards.

"The pace was fairly slow early on and that helped me a lot. I felt so comfortable and when I got sight of the finishing line I sensed that I was going to pull it off. It's a great way to end my season."

The 31-year-old will still not commit herself to racing over 1500 metres in either next year's Commonwealth Games or European Championships.

Ngeny beaten

"This winter I plan training in South Africa, Australia and possibly also in Europe.

"After that I'll be in a better position to make up my mind."

There was a shock for Olympic 1500m gold medallist Noah Ngeny when he managed only seventh position in the men's race after looking almost certain to win with less than 400 metres remaining.

But neither the brilliant Kenyan - nor anyone else in the field - reckoned on the finishing speed of Vyacheslav Shabunin.

The Russian champion came from nowhere to win in four minutes four seconds from Spain's Jose Redolat.

Gert van Liefers of the Netherlands finished third.