Britain's Mo Farah has stormed away from Mosinet Geremew in the last mile of the Chicago Marathon to claim his maiden victory over the distance and set a European record.
The four-time Olympic champion over 5000m and 10,000m, Farah was running just his third marathon on Sunday and claimed an emphatic win in two hours, five minutes and 11 seconds.
It bettered the previous best by Norway's Sondre Nordstad Moen by 37 seconds and confirms Farah's ability over 42.2km after he moved up from track racing following the 2017 world championships.
Ethiopia's Geremew, who broke through by winning the Dubai Marathon earlier this year, pursed Farah doggedly to the finish as others dropped off the pace in the rain-soaked streets of the Windy City.
But he could not match Farah's top gear over the last kilometre and finished 13 seconds back. Suguru Osako finished third in a Japanese record of 2:05:50 to secure a 100 million yen (A$1.2 million) bonus.
Farah's former training partner Galen Rupp missed the American record in fifth, behind Kenneth Kipkemoi of Kenya.
"I know I can mix it now and run a decent time," Farah said.
"To come away with a win is great, but I think I can go a lot faster.
"I think low 2:04, high 2:03 is possible. I am definitely better off going slower in the first half."
Farah's time is well off the world record of 2:01:37 set by Eliud Kipchoge in Berlin last month but he is relishing the prospect of facing off against the Kenyan.
"I'm definitely a bit behind Eliud Kipchoge but I have to turn up in the same fields as him and test him out," he said.
In the women's race, Kenya's Brigid Kosgei stormed clear for the biggest victory of her career in 2:18:35, the seventh quickest time by a woman. She had previously finished second in London this year and in Chicago last year.
Ethiopia's Roza Dereje was nearly three minutes adrift in second and compatriot Shure Demise another minute back in third.
