Noguchi, competing over the distance for the first time since her Games victory in Athens last summer, won by a huge margin, clocking an unofficial winning time of two hours 19 minutes 12 seconds.

The Japanese became only the sixth woman to run faster than two hours 20 minutes, easily bettering the continent's previous record of 2:19.39 achieved two years ago by Yingjie Sun of China.

Noguchi's time also moved her to third position in the world all-time rankings behind Paula Radcliffe's world record of 2:15.25 and Catherine Ndereba's time of 2:18.47.

Philip Manyim became the seventh-successive Kenyan winner of the men's race with a lifetime best performance.

Manyim broke clear of the field after 28 kilometres then initially piled on the pace, winning in a time of 2:07.41.

The 27-year-old former steeplechaser's massive increase in pace easily held off the challenge of fellow Kenyan Peter Chebet who finished in 2:08.58 with Jackson Koech close behind.

"At the beginning the weather was OK for marathon running but after 25 kilometres it was too hot," said Manyim, who slowed dramatically in the final few kilometres.

Nigel Leighton and Shona Crombie-Hicks were the top British finishers.

Leighton finished 18th with a time of 2:19.20. Gareth Raven also found the opposition too tough and finished 22nd in a time of 2:20.32.

Crombie-Hicks fared better but again her time of 2:38.42 in sixth place was well behind race winner Noguchi.

Gill Keddie finished 11th in a time of 2:43.42 a place ahead of Rosalyn Alexander who clocked 2:44.21.