The 35-year-old runner made up for European silver four years ago with a winning run of 2 hours, 15 minutes, 31 seconds. It was also Switzerland's first medal of the competition.

“This was my 19th marathon and it felt like the first,” Rothlin said. “My career might as well have been over after today, but the only thing I can say now is that I'm back! It feels great.” Spain's Jose Manuel Martinez - a former European champion in the 10,000 meters - was 2:29 slower to win silver.

Dmitriy Safronov of Russia claimed bronze with a time of 2:18:16 in hot, humid conditions on the streets of Barcelona.

“I like to run in the heat,” Rothlin said. “Compared to Osaka 2007 (worlds) this was cold.” Defending champion Stefano Baldini's return to defend his title ended early when the Italian pulled up nearly halfway through.

The 39-year-old 2004 Olympic champion hadn't competed since a 12th-place finish at the Beijing Games and had only returned to defend his European title.

Christophe Lemaitre, already the first Frenchman to win the 100-200 double, could become the first sprinter to win three golds in one championship if he races in and wins the 4x100 relay later Sunday when the six-day event wraps.

Also, Blanka Vlasic goes for women's high jump gold and Elvan Abeylegesse looks to follow up Mo Farah's men's distance double with her own as the Turkish runner goes for a 5,000 meters gold.