Hannah England pronounced herself well pleased with fourth place in the 1500 metres at the Golden Galaevent in the Olympic Stadium, Rome, last night, writes Stuart Weir.

The race was won by Abeba Aregawi, the Ethiopian-born Swedish athlete in a time of 4.00.23.

Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia was second with Jenny Simpson, who pipped Hannah for gold in 2011 World Championships, third.

England was fourth in 4.03.91.

The Oxford runner said: “That was my fourth fastest time ever, on the back of my third fastest last weekend (in the Diamond League Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon), which was great after all the travel.

“Tonight, I felt a lot better in the last 200m than I did on Saturday”.

The race had a pacemaker who went off too fast, opening up a gap of 50 metres on the rest before slowing down to let the field catch her.

England added: “The race was a mess really. Last Saturday’s race was a lot more predictable – flat out from the bell.

“I enjoy the tactical races more than those like tonight.

“My plan was to go out hard and stay with the pace, but then it all slowed down”

She also admitted to being nervous about running with 15 runners so tightly bunched.

“I thought it was only a matter of time before someone went down – and there was a faller on the last lap.

“I was constantly trying to keep enough space in front of me. But that is women’s 1500 metres!” Having run in London, America and now Rome in a couple of weeks, England is loving the lifestyle.

“It is fun being flown to a city like Rome to race. I was even taken on a tour of the city – it doesn’t get much better than that.”

Britain’s Lisa Dobriskey was tenth.

Olympic champion Usain Bolt suffered a surprise defeat by Justin Gatlin, who continued his impressive form by edging out the Jamaican to win the 100 metres.

Bolt, who has been struggling with injury and whose only previous 100m race this year saw him clock a sluggish 10.09secs, was quickly out of the blocks but he could not push on as American Gatlin took the win in 9.94secs.

Bolt crossed in 9.95 to come second.