Mo Farah produced a stunning finish to become the first Briton to win the 10-mile Great South Run since 1996.
Farah looked to be off the pace after South Africa's Stephen Mokoka went clear in sunny but windy conditions.
But the Londoner came back strongly and outsprinted Mokoka in a thrilling finale to win the Portsmouth race in a time of 46 minutes and 26 seconds.
"The crowd made a big difference - they kept cheering me," said Farah, now the UK's third-fastest over the distance.
The European 5,000m silver medallist, in his first serious race over 10 miles, was confident his decision to make a slow but steady start would pay dividends.
606: DEBATE" What do you think about Farah and his great win? "
"We went through 10km and I knew it was quite fast, and knowing the last two miles were going to be windy, I was thinking I must keep some energy," added the 26-year-old.
Farah, the first British winner since Gary Staines secured his third win in 1996, has played down suggestions his participation in Portsmouth might signal his intention to step up to longer distances next season.
Ines Monteiro led the women's race from start to finish to win in a new Portuguese national best of 52 minutes and 32 seconds.
She came home 26 seconds ahead of compatriot Ana Dulce Felix, with Australian Benita Johnson, the 2004 winner, third in 54 minutes 41 seconds.
Pre-race favourite Catherine Ndereba of Kenya struggled and came home in fifth place, almost three minutes behind Monteiro.
RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Katharine Merry's blog
Have your say on athletics on 606
Great South Run
International Athletics
UK Athletics
Find an athletics club in the UK
How to get involved in athletics
Running tips and tools - Runners World
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~00~RS~)