The 21-year-old pulled away from his rivals in the stadium after the leading pack battled for the lead until the end.

The former world junior champion struggled during the final strides but flung his arms in the air as he crossed the line in one hour 20 minutes and 31 seconds.

Russians took all three medals.

Former titleholder Ilya Markov, just two seconds behind Rasskazov, claimed silver and Viktor Burayev, a further three seconds back, took the bronze.