Stephen Kiprotich of Uganda won the Olympic men's marathon in London, beating the Kenyan pairing of Abel Kirui and Wilson Kipsang.
Kiprotich led at the 37km mark, despite appearing to suffer discomfort in his leg minutes earlier, and went on to win Uganda's first medal at London 2012.
His time of two hours eight minutes 11 seconds was 26secs clear of Kirui with Kipsang was over a minute further back.
Britain's Lee Merrien finished 30th and team-mate Scott Overall was 61st.
Analysis
Steve Cram: "The smile broke out across Stephen Kiprotich's face in the final few metres as the sacrifices he has made for his athletics career came to rich fruition in London. He enjoyed the last few strides as the crowd rose to him. The Kenyans thought they had it won but it was not to be. Kiprotich crossed the line with the flag of Uganda over his shoulders. He ran the race of his life. What a time to find one of the best times you have ever done in warm conditions."
Kipsang had taken up the running after Brazil's Franck de Almeida's early break and led at the halfway stage.
Kiprotich and Kirui caught him up to leave a three-way fight for the gold medal. The Ugandan looked to be struggling with an injury to the back of his leg, but unexpectedly surged to the front and pulled away.
"It means a lot [to Uganda]," said Kiprotich. "Since 1972 we have never won a gold medal, so they are very happy."
Uganda's last Olympic champion was 400m hurdler John Akii-Bua, who won gold at Munich in 1972.
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