Charlene Thomas failed to secure an Olympic Games qualifying time despite winning the 1500m at the British Milers’ Club elite meeting in Watford on Wednesday.

A specially arranged programme of elite races was organised at Woodside to give British runners the chance to achieve the Rio standards.

Wakefield athlete Thomas finished first in the race with a time of 4.08.1, which was a season’s best. But this was agonisingly short of the UK Athletics Olympic A standard of 4.07.

Thomas, who was ranked third in the UK for the distance last year, previously recorded a time of 4.10.27 to win the Grand Prix race at Watford last month and was hoping her return would spark a qualifying time run.

Thomas tweeted: “Gutted pace wasn’t quick enough through 800m but at least I’m finishing strongly.”

Germany’s Diana Sujew was runner-up in the race with a time of 4.09.7 while Australia’s Zoe Buckman was third in 4.12.8. World 2011 1500m silver medalist Hannah England was fourth fastest in a time of 4.14.9.

Hopes were high for success in the men’s 1500m, with an Olympic qualification target of 3.36.20.

But this proved elusive as world championship 5000m runner Tom Farrell finished first after the athlete posted a time of 3.39.4. Tonbridge’s James West was next fastest in 3.40, with Cardiff’s Tom Marshall third in 3.40.2.

In the women’s 800m, Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow’s Shelayna Oskan-Clarke was first with a time of 2.01.17. Luton’s Revee Walcott-Nolan was second in 2.02.32, with Aldershot’s Steph Twell, who is currently top of the UK rankings for 5000m, in third place (2.02.58).

In-form Shaftesbury Barnet Harrier Melissa Courtney, who ran a lifetime best of 4.07.55 in Birmingham earlier this month to go third in the UK rankings, had to settle for seventh spot in 2.05.34.

Southend’s Adam Hickey won the men’s 5000m in 13.53.97. His performance was good enough to make the Olympic qualifying time of 13.55.

Kent’s Alex Yee was second in 13.55.29, with Thames Valley athlete Mohamud Aadan next quickest in 13.59.36.

In the men’s 800m, Birchfield Harrier Elliot Giles clocked 1.47.21 for first place. Trafford’s James Bowness was second in 1.47.30 and Windsor runner Zak Curran finished third in 1.47.76.

The men’s 800m B race was won by Birchfield Harrier Theo Blundell in a time of 1.51.47. He was followed by East Anglia runner Scott Greeves in 1.51.77 and Blackheath’s Phillip Sesemann in third spot with 1.52.04.

Katy-Ann McDonald from Blackheath was first in the women’s 800m B race after recording a time of 2.06.35. Bristol athlete Charlotte Green finished the distance in 2.06.96 and West Suffolk runner Holly Archer took third place in 2.07.27.

The men’s 1500m B race was won by Denmark’s Peter Glans in a time of 3.44.1. St Albans runner James McMurray was second fastest in 3.44.5, while Windsor athlete Alex Tovey finished third in 3.45.2.