It was hot for marathon running on 28 August, with temperatures in the 80s and humidity standing at 49%. But the Spanish crowd expected something special from their reigning world champion Abel Anton.
He did not disappoint. The battle hotted up from halfway as spectators in the stadium watched nervously on the giant screens. With two miles to go he was locked in a battle with Japan's Nobuyuki Sato but went away with Italian Vincenzo Modica in his wake.
He came into the stadium clear to hear the crowd singing, "Ole, ole ole!" and flew round the final 400m like a sprinter.
At 36 years and 300 days old he became the oldest champion in any event at the Worlds. His time of 2hrs 13mins 36secs earned him of £42,600, but more importantly made him a Spanish sporting hero.
"I can't describe how emotional it was to arrive first in a stadium in my own country with my own people supporting me," he said afterwards.
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