Feyisa Lilesa of Ethiopia took silver, while Galen Rupp of the United States took bronze.

Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya was the favorite, with six major wins in the past four years after moving to the road from the track.

The 2016 race also had the most countries represented of any Olympic marathon and despite the weather conditions a record 62 men finished under 2:20:00 to show the quality and depth of the field.

The lead pack jogged comfortably through almost the first 15 kilometers, when Eliud Kipchoge injected a little speed into the race.

Lemi Berhanu seemed to be leading the increase of speed, calling back for his teammate Feyisa Lilesa to keep up.

Shortly after losing Rupp, Lilesa was immediately behind Kipchoge and apparently clipped his heels.

[3] Eliud Kipchoge had previously won medals on the track in 2004 and 2008; this race marked the continuation of his successful transition to the marathon distance.

As Athens 2004 silver medalist Meb Keflezighi, aged 41, was about to cross the finish line in thirty-third place, he slipped.

Later Mohammad Jafar Moradi's hamstring seized up before he reached the finish line.

The gifts were presented by Abby Hoffman, Council Member of the IAAF immediately after the race.

After the race he stated: "the Ethiopian government is killing my people so I stand with all protests anywhere as Oromo is my tribe.

The marathon distance of 26 miles, 385 yards was run over a course that started and finished at the Sambódromo.