There are 5 athletes left in the immediate shake-up. The Eritraen Asmeron, is a 2:15 marathoner, he is running right out of his skin here. This race still has a few hands to play and is maybe not over by a long chalk.

And as we say that, Kibet is off the front again. This just as Rothlin was closing.

30k - 1:36.56 with Rothlin 6 seconds in arrears

Kibet's surge did his compatriot no favours and he is now worse for wear and is currently not in medal contention. There is a big move by Japan's Tsuyoshi Ogata to try bridge the gap to runners immediately ahead of him.

Shami and Kibet are 'skinning' one another at the front with Kiplagat clawing his way back into the Top 3

Japan have taken the lead in the team event from Kenya.

Wow, Kiplagat is into 2nd place and is trying to get back to his team-mate. The leader looks free and easy; full of running. But, I say again, the conditions are stiffling and anything can happen with the clock only approaching 1:45. There is still agreat deal of running to come. 10k to be precise, as they pass 32k. In a normal marathon they start racing now however this is certainly no normal race today and the heat will determine the medal winners. And as I say that, the Swiss moves into 5th place and is charging down the Ertaen in 4th. Up ahead he can see 2nd and 3rd and a medal is a distinct possibility.

Kibet looks quite relaxed presently and he seems to be in cruise mode whereas Shami and Kiplagat are shoulder to shoulder and certainly look as though they have been in a battle.

35k is approaching and Shami again makes his move for Silver. The Eritraen pulls Rothlin along.

35k - 1:52.35 (last 5k 15.39)

The gap of Shami to the leader is 23 seconds, Kiplagat 31 seconds with Rothlin and Asmerom 59 sec. followed by 2 Nippon athletes with their 3rd team member shortly after.

Temp 29.9 degrees c, appalling, surely flogging oneself in a hot shower would be more appealing.

Kipalgat has incredibly overhauled Shami again. Lest not forget that these two were once upon a time compatriots before the purses of Qatar were opened.

2Hr approaches and now the final countdown begins for these marathom elite, they know they now have around 15 to 20mins of the race, for those less fortunate there is a whole lot of time still to elapse on a hot day on the streets of Osaka. The Japanese love the marathon however they must feel for these athletes as they brave the elements.

The leader is into the last 4km and he will be forgiven for looking forward to a cool drink under the shade of a palm tree with the breeze of the ocean fluttering across his skin. 39k, forget that, lets get back to the punishment, there are medals to be won.

Just as Ogata was closing in on Rothlin and Asmerom, the Swiss uses the last of his reserves to try avoid the inevitable take of the Japanese athlete. The Bronze winner of 2005, is alongside and goes past, gritting his teeth as he attempts to replicate Helsinki. He may simply run out of tarmac; at least it helps in securing the team win.

Kibet can see the stadium now and must surely realise that victory is his for the taking. Shami makes one last effort to get silver.

40k - 2:10.01 (??) Ogata is chasing down Kiplagat and one wonders whether it can be done? If he catches the Kenyan then surely the Qatarian and silver is a possibility. But as I say that, it is the 2:15 athlete who shoots past the Kenyan with Ogata following.

The fight for Bronze is definitely still on the cards and Shami is now within their sites and even Rothlin has joined the battle for 3rd. Boy this is an unexpected treat with the Swiss now challenging for Bronze and they closing at a 'matter of knotts' on Shami. Do they leave it for the last 400m on the track?

Kibet is on the tartan and Gold will be his. But what of Bronze, who will it be? 2:15.58 and Kenya takes their first Gold of the Championship.

Shami is sprinting to hold Rothlin at bay and should do enough to keep 2nd. 2:17.19 to the 2:17.23 of Rothlin. Eritrea takes 4th, Ogata 5th and Japan 6th. (Poor Kiplgat imploded and faded to a painful stagger to finish 8th in 2:19:21)

Suomi's Holmen takes 9th in 2:19:36, a good result for his country

This was no easy race, it was a war of attrition with no quarter given and the spirit and truth of the games have been evident. A punishing event, yet inspirational when watching the true spirit of the athlete rise to the occasion.

Japan take a comfortable Team Gold and the games have begun in full force for the home crowds.