Ugandan Kiprotich beats Kenyan duo Kirui and Kipsang to spring marathon surprise

Uganda's Stephen Kiprotich stunned the Kenyan challenge to clinch a surprise Olympic gold medal in the marathon on The Mall.

The 23-year-old burst past Abel Kirui and Wilson Kipsang around the 38-kilometre mark to leave his two rivals trailing and claim only Uganda's second ever Olympic gold in athletics.

Kiprotich followed in the footsteps of his compatriot John Akii-Bua, who was 400 metres hurdles champion 40 years ago, and crossed the line in two hours, eight minutes and one second.

Glory: Stephen Kiprotich reaches the finish line

Kiprotich on the way towards the finish

Kirui took the silver, 26 seconds adrift, and long-time leader Kipsang finished with the bronze.

Kipsang, the London Marathon winner, made an early move to try to break up the lead group, building a 21-second lead at one point.

It was a high-risk strategy in such warm conditions, though, and he paid for it as the race went on as he started to look less and less comfortable.

Front runners: Kiprotich and Kenya's Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich and Abel Kirui (left-right)

Silver service: Kenya's Kirui prays after coming second place

Medal men: Kenya's Abel Kirui (right) is congratulated by gold medalist Kiprotich

He missed a drinks stop and by the 25km mark his advantage was down to seven seconds.

Kenyan world champion Kirui and Kiprotich soon joined the leader to make it a three-way battle for the gold medal.

Kiprotich looked to be starting to struggle, holding the back of his leg, but he suddenly produced a big surge, leapt to the front and pulled away.

And in front of packed crowds rows deep all along the looped central London course, the Ugandan, who moved to Kenya as a teenager to train, started smiling and pointing his finger into the air as he closed in on victory before draping himself in the Ugandan flag as he crossed the line.

Ding dong: Runners pile past Big Ben

Lee Merrien was the first Briton home in 30th place in 2hrs 17.00mins as team-mate Scott Overall struggled late in the race.

Overall in the end came home in 61st place in 2:22.37.

Merrien said: 'My target was top 20, maybe just inside if I had had an absolute stormer.

'But looking at that field, it was a very strong. I think on paper there were probably a good 60 or 70 people at least faster than me so I can't be disappointed with that.'

Former shoe salesman Overall admitted he struggled with the heat. 'I probably didn't respect the conditions enough,' he said.

'I think I really suffered there on the last lap.'

Surprise: The Ugandan usurped the Kenyan duo to win gold

Magnificence: Spectators watch runners near the Victoria Monument