Wanjiru claims marathon for Kenya

BEIJING (Reuters) - Kenya's long wait for a first Olympic marathon gold ended on Sunday when Sammy Wanjiru defied the heat of Beijing to triumph in an Olympic record two hours, six minutes, 32 seconds.

The 21-year-old was in the leading pack from the start, setting a fierce pace that quickly saw his opponents start to drop off, before making his decisive break soon after the 35km mark.

Morocco's Jaouad Gharib took silver in 2:07.16, with Tsegay Kebede catching exhausted Ethiopian compatriot Deriba Merga on the final lap inside the Bird's Nest for bronze.

"I pushed and pushed, I had to, to tire the others," said Wankiru. "My plan was to push my body to the limits."

Despite their fantastic pedigree of track distance running and big-city marathon wins, the Olympic title had always eluded the east African country, who boast six of the all-time top 10 fastest men over the distance.

With Ethiopia's world record holder Haile Gebrselassie skipping the event because of fears over pollution the Kenyans arrived confident things would change this year.

All three of their athletes were in the early lead pack after the start on a beautifully clear and sunny morning on Tiananmen Square.

By 10km the leaders were already down to eight and world champion Luke Kibet, a late addition to the Kenyan team, was dropped soon after.

Five stayed together through the 25km mark before this year's London marathon winner Martin Lel, Kenya's favorite, also faltered.

Wanjiru, Gharib and Deriba then forged clear but when the young Kenyan drove again the other two were unable to respond and he coasted home waving and smiling.

The victory capped a terrific athletics campaign for Kenya, who scooped five gold, five silver and four bronze medals.

"It feels good to make history here," Wankiru said. "Kenya have won many medals but never the marathon so I'm glad to have this one."

Gharib said: "That time was incredible in these conditions."

Defending champion Stefan Baldini, who finished 12th, agreed: "In the last 10km it was unbelievable what the Africans were able to do in these conditions," said the Italian.

"Yes, it was a fast, flat course but it was very hot, and it's still the Olympic marathon," added Baldini, who said this would be his last marathon and his last international event.

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)