KINGSTON, May 4: Jamaican Usain Bolt ran the second fastest 100 metres ever when he clocked 9.76 seconds at the Jamaican International Invitational on Saturday.

Bolt’s time was just two hundredths of a second slower than the world record of 9.74 set last year by his compatriot Asafa Powell. Bolt made a good start and left the field behind to come home ahead of American Darvis Patton in 10.08 and Antigua’s Daniel Bailey in 10.12.

The wind assistance factor was timed at 1.8 seconds.

American Wallace Spearmon Jr, the world 200 metres bronze medallist, was clearly upset by two false starts and finished fifth in 10.13 seconds.

World 100 and 200 metres champion Tyson Gay ran his first 200 of the year and claimed victory in a season-leading 20.00 seconds.

Young American Bianca Knight ran a nippy 22.62 seconds to win the women’s 200 metres and upset Jamaican Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown, who finished second in 22.93.

Olympic 400 metres favourite Sanya Richards looked impressive in winning the event in 50.60 seconds, well ahead of Jamaica’s world silver medallist Novlene Williams in 51.63.

Leading results:

Men’s:

100 metres: 1. Usain Bolt (Jamaica) 9.76 seconds; 2. Darvis Patton (US) 10.08; 3. Daniel Bailey (Antigua) 10.12.

200 metres: 1. Tyson Gay (US) 20.00 seconds; 2. Chris Williams (Jamaica) 20.78; 3. Marvin Anderson (Jamaica) 20.88.

400 metres: 1. Sanjay Ayre (Jamaica) 45.68 seconds; Nery Brines (Costa Rica) 45.78; Michael Blackwood (Jamaica) 46.20.

1,500 metres: 1. Josephet Kithill (Kenya) three minutes 47.51 seconds; 2. Shane Stroup (US) 3:47.85; Phillip Lagat (Kenya) 3:48.74.

110-metre hurdles: 1. Antwon Hicks (US) 13.21 seconds; Aries Merritt (US) 13.35; Mauirce Wignall (Jamaica) 13.63.

400-metre hurdles: 1. Kerron Clement (US) 47.79 seconds; 2. Danny McFarlane (Jamaica) 48.74, 3. Michael Tinsely (US) 48.84.

Women’s:

100 metres: 1. Kerron Stewart (Jamaica) 10.96 seconds; 2. Marsashevet Hooker (US) 11.01; 3. Bianca Knight (US) 11.11.200 metres: 1. Bianca Knight (US) 22.62 seconds; 2. Veronica Campbell-Brown (Jamaica) 22.93; 3. Shalonda Solomon (US) 23.27.

400 metres: 1. Sanya Richards (US) 50.60 seconds; 2. Novlene Williams (Jamaica) 51.63; 3. Sonita Sutherland (Jamaica) 52.94.

100-metre hurdles: 1. Joanna Hayes (US) 12.72 seconds; 2. Delloreen Ennis-London (Jamaica) 12.75, 3. Candice Davis (US) 12.80

400-metre hurdles: 1. Lashinda Demus (US) 54.83 seconds; 2. Shevon Stoddart (Jamaica) 55.68; 3. Markita James (US) 56.79. —Agencies