Kenya commands respect as one of the globe's top athletic nations but, even so, having a string of 17 runners finish tops at a single event is a feat few people expected.

According to Sky News, the East African nation put on an impressive show at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon on Sunday.

The 42km race has been an annual event in Singapore for 36 years.

Though more than 50,000 runners from across the globe took part in the two-day event, Mail and Guardian noted that only around 10,000 people made it to the finish line.

The big winner on Sunday was Joshua Kipkorir. In second place was Felix Kirwa, followed closely by Andrew Kimtai. In total, 22 Kenyan men entered the race.

Not to be outdone, the Kenyan women's team also stamped its authority on their race, claiming the five top positions. The country was represented by a total of 15 female athletes.

The Straits Times reports that Priscah Cherono took first place with a time of 2:32:12.

Back in the 1990s, iconic athlete Haile Gebrselassie put Kenya on the athletics map by winning gold medals at major competitions, including the Olympics and World Championships.

This year, Kenyans were unfazed by the Singapore heat as they continued his legacy.

"This is my first time here. I like the course, it's very nice. I have no problems with the heat," said Kipkorir.

Cherono shared his sentiments: "The conditions were good."