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| Gezahegne Abera of Ethiopia and Simon Biwott of Kenya battle it out during the finish of the mens marathon in Edmonton. |
Ethiopian Gezahegne Abera confirmed this morning that he is the best marathon runner around with a classic victory in the opening event of the eighth world championships.
The 42.195 kms men's road race on a hot, still Canadian night was resolved after a gripping duel between two Africans - Abera and Kenyan Simon Biwott
As the pair strode into the Commonwealth stadium, the result was still in doubt before Abera summoned the last of his physical and mental resources with a searing final burst to become the first man to win both the world and Olympic titles.
Abera won by just one second over the Berlin champion in two hours 12 minutes 42 seconds, the closest win in the history of the world championships. European gold medallist Stefano Baldini was well back in third place in 2:13:18.
Portuguese Rosa Mota, equally dominant in the women's event in the late 1980s, is the only other person to hold both titles.
"When I got into the stadium, I knew I was going to win because of my sprinting ability," Abera said.
At the 25 kms mark New York and London champion Abdelkader El Mouaziz of Morocco accelerated to the front on the bridge across the North Saskatchewan river.
But this time he was unable to maintain his momentum and was caught over the next 10 kms by a group of six including the three medallists.
As the leading group headed back to the stadium, Biwott surged to the front but was unable to shrug off Abera as they swapped the lead over the final kilometres.
Finally, it was Abera who prevailed as the pair raced around the track with Biwott unable to match his finishing kick.
"I tried my very best but he was too strong," Biwott said. "It was a very exciting finish, I'm very happy with the silver medal."