Kirui, 27, ran away from countryman Emmanuel Mutai at the 37-kilometers mark and crossed the line at the Brandenburg Gate in a championship record 2 hours 6 minutes 54 seconds for the 42.195 km distance.

Mutain came second in 2:07.48 and Tsegay Kebede of Ethiopia was third in 2:08.35 hours.

"I'm very happy," Kirui said. "I've had some great races in Berlin.

"I was determined to be champion at one time in my life. It's a lesson, it's not easy but everyone can make it.

"Now I will prepare for the world record, total committment in training. My aim is to run 2.03:30 in the near future, between now and next year."

World record holder Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia, Kenya's Olympic champion Samuel Wanjiru, Morocco's two-time world champion Jaouad Gharib and Kenya's defending champion Luke Kibet were all absent from the world championships.