Australia's Michael Shelley has powered to victory in the men's marathon at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Shelley, who claimed silver in Delhi four years ago, stopped the clock in two hours, 11 minutes and 15 seconds.

It is Australia's first win in the men's Commonwealth Games marathon since Steve Moneghetti triumphed in Victoria in 1994.

Kenya's Stephen Chemlany took the silver medal with a time of 2:11.58 and Uganda's Abraham Kiplimo collected the bronze in 2:12.23.

Shelley's countryman Liam Adams was seventh in 2:13.49, while the third Australian Marty Dent was 19th in 2:19.22.

In the women's marathon, Jess Trengove (2:30:12) secured bronze in an amazing day for Australian long-distance running, finishing behind dominant Kenyan pair Flomena Daniel (2:26:45) and Caroline Kilel (2:27:10).

Shelley, who finished 16th in the London Olympics, produced a stunning final eight kilometres to trump a favoured east African field on the largely flat course around the streets of Glasgow.

"I've got to pinch myself, it is very exciting. To come back and actually win is indescribable," said Shelley.

"Now I have had a bit more experience, to come away with my first win is indescribable."

Sorry, this audio has expired Interview: Michael Shelley ( Tim Gavel )

"You just try to run the best you possibly can and it was a dream to be honest. I'm still buzzing, I can't believe it.

"It probably wasn't until a kilometre out that I got a bit of a feeling. I just kept pushing on. My main idea was to stay relaxed and I was always there in the lead group.

"At 35k there was a surge. I just had to stay strong and it paid off."

After a sedate opening 10km, Kiplimo upped the pace, glancing over his shoulder and accelerating away, taking with him team-mates Philip Kiplimo and Munyo Mutai, and Tanzania's Fabiano Naasi.

Aussie gold ... Michael Shelley edged Kenya's Stephen Chemlany for the Commonwealth Games marathon title. ( Getty Images: Alex Livesey )

The sole Kenyan to stick with the breakaway group was defending champion John Eriku Kelai, although Chemlany worked his way back to the lead pack shortly after.

Shelley and Adams also struggled to stick with the increased work rate.

After going through the 20km mark in 1:01.47, the third Kenyan, Erick Ndiema, found the main group.

But then there was drama as Kiplimo veered across for a watering station, slipped and fell.

His team-mates slowed the pace to allow him back into action, Mutai even keeping hold of his water bottle for him to have a drink.

After the surges of Kiplimo, now content to sit at the back after his tumble, it was clear no one wanted to set a pace, with the Ugandan team attack stripped of its impetus.

All smiles ... Jess Trengove crosses the finish line for third place. ( Getty Images: Clive Rose )

Accordingly, at the 1:17 mark, Shelley and Adams, along with Rwanda's Dieudonne Disi, had managed to reel in the lead pack.

As the race entered the business end, a welcome injection of pace did finally come through Naasi, Kelai and Mutai.

A seven-strong pack swept through 35km in 1:49.05, with Disi, Ndiema and Adams struggling.

Chemlany then pulled away with Mutai and Abraham Kiplimo, Shelley fighting in fourth ahead of Kelai.

Kiplimo then faded as Chemlany made his move at 1:56, but Shelley matched him, Mutai also fading.

Shelley then upped the ante, clocking 14:47 between the 35-40km markers, and moved gradually away from the Kenyan, whose personal best of 2:06.24 was the fastest time in the field.

The Australian held his nerve, heading around the final corner with a huge smile and fist pumping for the first gold medal of the track and field program in Glasgow.

ABC/AFP