Aussies big win: Australia's Shelley excels as Chemlany salvages silver medal

(L-R) Australia's Michael Shelley, Kenya's Erick Ndiema, Kenya's John Ekiru Kelai lead the pack in the men's marathon athletics event at the Glasgow City Marathon Course during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland on July 27, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC

Australia pulled a fast one on Kenya, sneaking away with the men's Commonwealth Games marathon crown here at the Glasgow Green course.

The 30-year-old Australian, a silver medalist in New Delhi four years ago, ran a personal best of 2 hours, 11 minutes, 15 seconds through frequent rain showers to win this year's marathon. He proved he was no push-over as he dashed John Kelai's title defence bid.

The win placed him in the same class as two other Australians who have won Commonwealth Games marathons — Rob de Castella and Steve Moneghetti. De Castella won in 1982 and 1986, while Moneghetti, Australia's chef de mission at these games, won in 1994.

Kenya's Stephen Chemlany, Eric Ndiema and defending champion John Kelai could not take the light drizzles that swept down the course as they tackled the Australian, who arrived into the competition just slightly below the radar.

The three stormed into the leading pack as Shelley and Uganda's Abraham Kiplimo and Philip Kiplimo stayed with the chasing pack. They made brilliant moves against the Ugandans but Michael waited tactically, saving energy for the final five-kilometre stages, which the Kenyans unfortunately lacked.

Shelley finally pulled away sprinting to victory in 2:11.15 his personal best, leaving Chemlany to settle for silver in 2:11.58. Uganda's Abraham Kiplimo won bronze in 2:12.23 ahead of his team mate Solomon Mutai (2:12.26). Kelai finished in fifth (2:12.41) as Ndiema (2:13.44) settled for sixth place.

Chemlany, who holds a personal best of 2:06.24, which he posted at the Seoul Marathon last March, blamed the rainy weather conditions for the failure to retain title.

"I am happy for winning the silver medal but it is sad that the title has gone to Australia. The weather condition changed drastically here and it was not favourable to us. We could not move on as expected," said Chemlany, who holds a master's degree from the Iona College in New Rochelle, New York.

Chemlany could not respond to Michael's sudden surge in the final miles of the race.

"I had already ran out of energy. The cold weather was too bad for me and my team mates. We need to look at our last five-kilometre finishing power in future races and perhaps prepare for varying weather conditions," said Chemlany.

Kelai, who has a 2:09.0 personal best set in Endoven Marathon, said it was unfortunate that he could not secure a back to back marathon win.

"I had prepared well. But the morning rains ruined it all. I thank God Chemlany won a silver," said Kelai.

Ndiema said: "The weather was hard for me. I could not react as I usually do."