Kenya's second runner Nicholas Kipkoech pushed the pace followed by American Erik Sowinski as the two teams separated from the field.

Lined up for the handoff, Timothy Kitum became alarmed at his teammate losing ground and bounced backward down the straightaway to grab the baton as Casimir Loxsom sprinted away.

Kenya's Jeremiah Mutai took off in chase of Andrews, ignoring Poland's European Champion Adam Kszczot.

Over the next 650 metres, Mutai closed down the lead to a manageable 10 metres, but Andrews is a kicker, almost serving as a cruel decoy, Andrews sprinted away from a dejected Mutai to retain the huge lead he had started with.

With Kszczot sprinting from behind, Mutai barely crossed the line in second place with Australia a distant fourth.