Martin Lel winning a second Bupa Great North Run in three years showed he is again in mint condition after injury with a fantastic display in the world's biggest half marathon on Sunday.
Lel forced to pull out of chasing a fourth title at the London Marathon in April showed with his very fast winning time of 59 minutes 32 seconds that the hip injury which forced his withdrawal is now fully healed.
The 30-year-old Kenyan regaining the title he won in 2007, admitted beforehand that not having raced since winning the Lisbon half marathon in March, he was unsure of what kind of performance he would produce.
But he produced another a vintage display when in the final half mile powering away to stifle the challenge of fellow countryman Kiplimo Kimutai who also clocked a very quick time of 59.44sec.
Two-time world marathon gold medallist Jaouad Gharib finished third in 60min 04sec, a bout of cramp after 10 miles causing the Moroccan major problems in the final stages.
Lel after posting the GNR's second fastest ever time behind Zersenay Tadese's four-year-old mark of 59min 05sec, now feels he is ready to do himself justic when chasing a third New York marathon victory in November.
"I was well prepared for this race but as I had not competed for so many months, I was still not certain of what might happen," Lel said.
"I always felt in control and there was no problems from my hip in what was a very fast race and against a very tough field whom I respected."
The reigning World Marathon Majors champion who missed his lifetime best by only two seconds, added: "Now I will put in some intensive training before New York where winning for a third time will be more important than chasing a fast time."
Jessica Augusto a runaway winner of the women's title admitted she was surprised when none of her more experienced rivals attempted to follow her when making a breakaway with Nikki Chapple after three miles.
The Portugese and Australian runners immediately drew over 25 yards clear of a high profile pack including Ethiopia's former champion Berhane Adere and the fastest competitor in the field, Salina Kosgei from Kenya.
Augusto running very confidently in her third GNR appearance, quickly dropped Chapple and continued to power further and further ahead to break her previous best by two-and-a-half minutes with a time of 69min 08sec.
The 27-year-old European cross country silver medallist who ran a terrible race three weeks previously at the Great Yorkshire Run, fulfilled her prophesy there she would be ready for the GNR.
"After the World Championships I had a rest and had done no training before Sheffield," said Augusto who was a 3000m steeplechase finalist in Berlin last month.
Augusto whose previous best GNR placing was ninth a year ago,added: "Straight after I went into full training increasing my mileage and running for 40 minutes longer in my daily sessions.
"I knew I was in good shape but with so many good Ethiopians and Kenya's here I didn't expect to get a medal and I was surprised when they did not challenge me when I pulled away.
"This is the biggest win of my career and to also run my fastest ever half marathon time is something I am really happy with."
Adere expected to repeat her 2006 win, made no attempt to get on terms with Augusto and when she did start to motor with just three miles left, it was already a lost cause.
The former world half marathon champion finished 34 seconds behind with Augusto's teammate Ana Dulce Rosa also surpassing herself with third place and new PB of 69min 48sec.
Commonwealth marathon bronze medallist Dan Robinson was the first British man across the line in 64min 14sec with Angela
Hibbs the first woman recording 78min 27sec.
David Weir with a third GNR success took over a minute from his wheelchair course record when winning in 41min 34sec.
Runner-up Josh Cassidy also broke the old figure clocking 42min 12sec with Denis Lemeunier of France third in 43min 21sec.
Amanda McGrory the USA's Paralympic goild medallist broke the women's record with a time of 49min 47sec. Canada's Diane Roy was second in 51min 11sec with Francesca Porcellato of Italy third in 52min 33sec.
Results
Men
1, M Lel (Kenya) 59 minutes 32 seconds
2, K Kimutai (Kenya) 59:44
3, J Gharib (Morocco) 1:00:04
4, G Gebremariam (Ethiopia) 1:00:59
5, J Koech (Kenya) 1:01:12
6, C Martinez (Spain) 1:02:36
7, J Torres (USA) 1:02:42
8, C Dechasa (Ethiopia) 1:03:31
9, S Forrest (Australia) 1:03:41
10, A Chaica (Portugal) 1:03:49
11,
Women
1, J Augusto (Portugal) 1:09:08
2, B Adere (Ethiopia) 1:09:42
3, A-D Felix (Portugal) 1:09:48
4, N Chapple (Australia) 1:10:03
5, S Kosgei (Kenya) 1:10:11
6, R Cheruiyot (Kenya) 1:10:28
7, A Rosa (Portugal) 1:10:30
8, W Kidane (Ethiopia) 1:11:18
9, S Barsosio (Kenya) 1:11:45
10, B Willis (Australia) 1:11:57