Abel Kirui of Kenya crosses the line to victory in the men's marathon at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea on Sunday. Kirui won in 2:07:38 to take the gold medal. (Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images)

Defending champion Abel Kirui of Kenya won the men's marathon Saturday at the world championships, leading the African nation to a double in the event.

Kirui, who set a championship record two years ago in Berlin, won the race in two hours seven minutes 38 seconds to claim Kenya's seventh gold medal of the competition and reaffirming its dominance in the long distances.

Kenyan teammate Vincent Kipruto came in second, finishing in 2:10:06, followed closely behind by Feyisa Lilesa of Ethiopia in third in 2:10:32.

"This is history," Kirui said. "It is also good [for] the country. It is good for my family. It is great."

It was Kenya's seventh gold of the competition, moving the nation into second place behind the United States in the medals table.

The 1-2 finish follows Kenya's sweep of the women's marathon and 10,000 on the opening day. It also took gold and silver in the men's 1,500.

Kirui made his move at the 33-kilometre mark, pulling ahead for good with Lilesa doing his best to prevent a Kenya sweep. Kipruto and Lilesa then battled it out for second, with the Kenyan, who has the third fastest marathon time this year, edging ahead at the 35-kilometre mark.

Kirui said the early move was part of his plan to avoid any mishaps at the end of the race.

"When it comes to a race where you are have strong competitors you also have to be wise," Kirui said. "Running is not only legs. It's also the mind."

The 27-year-old Kirui raised his arms in the air and pointed to the sky as he crossed the finish line. He then bowed and put his hands together as if to pray before doing a little jig and grabbing a Kenyan flag.

He also kneeled, saying later that he thought of Olympic marathon champion Samuel Wanjiru of Kenya, who died in June after falling at his home following a domestic dispute. Wanjiru had won five of his seven marathons and was the youngest runner to win four "major" marathons.

"We are sorry for what happened to Wanjiru. I was wishing Wanjiru could have been running today. God knows all these things," Kirui said. "We are very sorry. We are here to play the role Wanjiru used to play."

It was a perfect comeback for the Kenyan, who has struggled with injury since his win in Berlin two years ago.

Africans set the tone early in the race, with Mohale Modike Lucky of South Africa leading runners from Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia down the streets of Daegu at the 10-kilometre mark. At 15 kilometres, Kipruto took the lead before giving it up a few minutes later to a surging Moroccan trio led by Ahmed Baday. The Kenyans fought right back, with Kirui leading the pack alongside teammate Eliud Kiptanui at the 20-kilometre mark.

Just after the halfway point, a group of about six runners led by the Kirui, Kiptanui and Kipruto broke off from the rest of the pack.

It was reduced to four men about five kilometres later, with only Lilesa managing to keep pace with the Kenyans.