On a day when home runner Mo Farah learned what he described as "the biggest lesson of my life" in running to the halfway point as preparation for his full debut in London next year - a halfway point that was reached in 61min 34sec, inside world record pace - it was an astonishing finish by Kebede, one of the finest ever witnessed in this race.

With 35 of the 42 kilometres run Kebede had been fifth, 49 seconds off the front.

But as the leaders paid a price for the fierce opening pace, the chunky Ethiopian began to move up.

At the 40km mark he was still 28sec adrift.

But he remained strong to pass Mutai and repeat his victory here three years ago.

Until Kebede's startling final flourish it looked as if Mutai had been the one who had timed things perfectly after he had overhauled fellow Kenyan Stanley Biwott, who had moved into a seven second lead by the 35km mark.

But Mutai had to be content with second place in 2:06:34.

Tsegaye Kebede approaches the finish well clear of all opposition

Biwott fell back after being passed and finished eighth in 2:08:39, his legs clearly stiffening as he crossed the line.

Kebede acknowledged with a grin his own stiff-legged status as he mounted the platform for his post-race interview.

"I am very tired," he said, adding that he had taken a decision not to go with the leaders beyond 25km.

"It was too fast.

"It was difficult for me...maybe it was the sunshine too, I don't know.

"Anyway, I was lucky to win again."

Kebede had been only fourth favourite to win here, at 6-1, but in the end luck had nothing to do with it.

World record holder Patrick Makau, who had to pull out midway through last year's London race, had another day of disappointment as he was dropped in the early miles and finished 11th in 2:14:10.

Race favourite at 11/4, Wilson Kipsang, finished fifth in 2:07:47, one place and 18 seconds ahead of the Ugandan who won gold to his bronze at the London 2012 Olympics, Stephen Kiprotich.

Farah, Britain's 30-year-old Olympic 5,000 and 10,000 metres champion, who will pick up a reported £450,000 ($685,000/€525,000) for his involvement here this year and next, was satisfied with his first experience of marathon running, where his 20 or so kilometres of involvement - he dropped out shortly before the halfway point - involved running at world record pace.

Britain's double Olympic champion Mo Farah (fourth from left) gets the feel of running in a world class marathon

"I've learned the biggest lesson of my life," he said.

"The biggest challenge I had was picking up the right drink and I made a mess of it at 10k.

"I'll watch the race back and see how much of a mess I made of it.

"If I had come here next year and made a mess of the race I don't think I could have dealt with that.

"I felt good.

"The crowd were absolutely awesome.

"They just want to make you go - push on, push on.

"I really got excited in the middle of the race, but you have to let the guys do their race.

"It's their race."

Farah added: "As I was dropping out I thought 'Are they going to keep this pace up?'

"You have got to be patient, take your time and be confident in this race."

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