Almaz Ayana ran the third-fastest women's 5000 metres ever as she sailed to victory at the second Diamond League event of the season in Shanghai on Sunday.

The Ethiopian set a blistering pace to cross the finish line in 14 minutes and 14.32 seconds, placing her behind only Tirunesh Dibaba and Meseret Defar on the all-time list.

Viola Jelagat Kibiwot and Senbere Teferi rounded off the podium, with the former finishing 26 seconds behind Ayana.

"I am so happy with my win," said Ayana. "It's three seconds above the world record. I never had the world record in my head. I didn't know I was so close.

"I was surprised that my body could do that. I will never forget this competition."

Olympic gold medalist Kirani James was the biggest name on show in China and the Grenadian was a comfortable winner in the men's 400m, maintaining his strong start to the year.

World champion Lashawn Merritt had been tipped to run James close, but the American was edged into second by compatriot Tony McQuay.

David Oliver triumphed in the 110m hurdles and there were world-leading times for Kenyans Silas Kiplagat and Jairus Kipchoge Birech in the 1500m and 3000m steeplechase respectively.

While Ayana hogged the limelight in the women's track events, there were also wins for Eunice Jepkoech Sum in the 800m and Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor in the 100m.

Kaliese Spencer of Jamaica set a new world-lead time of 54.71 seconds in the 400m hurdles.

In the field, there were home victories as Lu Huihui of China topped the women's javelin standings and Gong LijIao shone in the shot put.

Nikoleta Kyriakopoulou led Katerina Stefanidi in a Greek pole vault one-two, while the in-form Caterine Ibarguen won the triple jump.

Aleksandr Menkov beat Jeff Henderson to long jump glory, Mutaz Essa Barshim won the high jump for Qatar and, in the remaining event of the day, Piotr Malachowski claimed victory in the discus.