Paul Kosgei of Kenya broke the one-hour barrier for the first time in Britain with a stunning run of 59mins 58secs to clinch the BUPA Great North Run title.
Kosgei, who had a neck-and-neck struggle with runner-up John Yuda, outpaced the Tanzanian over the final 400 metres for victory.
Kosgei's time bettered the previous UK all-comers record of 60mins and 2secs which was set by Benson Masya in 1994 also on the Newcastle to South Shields course.
Kosgei, the reigning world half-marathon champion, said: "Really when I came here I wasn't sure whether the record would be on.
"I've been suffering from a bad stomach for the last week or so. It was always going to be a great challenge and to have pulled it off in front of so many thousands of spectators has really pleased me."