Mottram - size matters!

Craig Mottram sent world championship expectations soaring with a record-breaking two-mile victory over a crack field at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon on Sunday.

Mottram sliced nearly eight seconds off his best to clock 8:03.50, the fastest two miles ever run on US soil and an Australian and Oceania record.

The time is also the sixth fastest ever run for the distance, elevating the 26-year-old Victorian to the third fastest of all time, behind world record holder Daniel Komen (Kenya) and Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia) who hold the five fastest times between them.

Mottram made his victory even more memorable for US fans by declaring on NBC's live broadcast after the race that when the pace is on it comes down to the size of your balls.