London, Aug 5 (IANS): Mo Farah of Britain registered the second fastest time in the history of the IAAF World Championships on his way to winning gold in the men's 10,000 metre event here.

Farah, who crossed the line in 26 minutes and 49.51 seconds, won his third consecutive 10,000m title at the World Championships on Friday night. He had emerged champion at the 2013 and 2015 editions as well.

But the race was by no means easy for Farah. The 34-year-old British athlete of Somali origin was tested hard in a fast race full of surges and ever-changing leads.

Uganda's 2014 world U-20 champion Joshua Cheptegei gave the local hero a tough time before narrowly finishing second with a time of 26:49.94 minutes. Kenya's Olympic silver medallist Paul Kipngetich Tanui took the bronze with 26:50.60.

It was the first time ever that seven athletes have run under 27 minutes in an IAAF World Championships. It was also a third consecutive world bronze medal for Tanui.

"I knew at 12 laps to go when they went hard from there, I knew it was going to be tough. It was about believing in my sprint finish and knowing that I have been in that position before. It helped a lot having the experience. Anything is possible if you train hard. It was perfect tonight," Farah was quoted as saying by the official website of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

Farah has achieved 10 consecutive global track titles and will make it 11 if he can also triumph in the men's 5000m.