Holmes is using the 800m to improve her speed

Kelly Holmes became the first British woman to break two minutes for an indoor 800m as she finished second to Maria Mutola in Ghent.

Holmes challenged the Olympic champion throughout Sunday's four-lap race but was pipped by just 0.38 seconds, in 1:59.21.

The Commonwealth Games gold medallist has been training alongside Mutola and was using the race to sharpen her speed in preparation for the World Indoor Championships 1500m.

The previous record had stood since 1977, when Jane Finch ran 2:01.12 in San Sebastian.

Another long-standing mark went when Spain's Alberto Garcia broke the European 5,000m record, which had stood for 27 years.

Garcia finished in 13 minutes 11.39 seconds, more than nine seconds quicker than previous record-holder Belgian Emiel Puttemans, who greeted the Spaniard after his victory.

As well as Holmes, other British athletes were also in form at the first Energizer EuroSeries meeting of the season, with Daniel Caines and Jamie Baulch winning the A and B races in the 400m.

Reigning world indoor champion Caines clocked 45.90secs, while Baulch, gold medallist in 1999, ran 46.31secs.

John Mayock took third in the 3,000m, recording a fast time of 7:47.65.

But Jason Gardener pulled out of the 60m with a cold.

I've got to be sensible as I have a busy schedule before the World Indoor Championships Jason Gardener

The European indoor champion's withdrawal follows his disappointment in Chemnitz on Friday, when he pulled up with cramp midway through the 60m final.

Gardener had ran 6.51secs in his heat, making him the joint fastest man in the world this year with American Terrence Trammell.

"It's a shame really, I'm in such fantastic form," said Gardener on Sunday.

"Obviously I've got to be sensible as I have a busy schedule ahead of me before the World Indoor Championships."

The European record holder is determined to improve on the bronze medal he claimed four years ago in next month's Birmingham event.

World 100 metres record holder Tim Montgomery will race over 60m in the Norwich Union Grand Prix meeting in Birmingham on February 21.