Felix Limo extended Kenya's dominance of the Berlin marathon by winning the race in miserable weather conditions today.
Limo gave Kenya their sixth successive victory in the event by covering the course in two hours six minutes 44 seconds.
Fellow Kenyan Joseph Riri came a close second in 2:06:49 and Joshua Chelanga completed a clean sweep for Kenya by taking third place in 2:07:05.
Rain and wind prevented Limo from getting close to the world-record time of 2:04:55 set by his compatriot Paul Tergat in Berlin last year.
Limo (24) also failed to better the fastest marathon time this year which he had set by winning in 2:06:14 in Rotterdam in April.
"The conditions made it difficult," said Limo, who caught Riri with two kilometres remaining and fought a thrilling battle with his compatriot until the finish line.
Yoko Shibui gave Japan their fifth victory in succession in the women's race in a course record 2:19:41.
Hiromi Ominami, also of Japan, took second place in 2:23.26 while local favourite Sonja Oberem finished a distant third in 2:26.53.