The triple Paralympic gold medalist finished in a time of 1 hour 38min 12sec to cross the line more than a minute ahead of his nearest competitor Brett Mcarthur, who finished in 1:39.17.

Paralympian Richard Nicholson came in third in a time of 1:48.02 but it was Fearnley who was the star of the show and the 29-year-old admitted that he had enjoyed the race despite the difficult conditions.

Fearnley said: "It was a beautiful race in beautiful conditions but it was hardcore.

"It’s my only hometown marathon so I always want to do well in it and yesterday was about finding my rhythm and sticking to it, which I did."

Fearnley, whose image adorned this year’s finishing line medals given to all racers, will now head to the Commonwealth Games before taking on the New York City Marathon in November, where he is looking for his fifth consecutive victory.

Fearnley will then head to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics World Championships in Christchurch in January, where he will contest five events including the marathon.

It will therefore be a busy few months for the Australian star, particularly as he is getting married following the New York Marathon.

He said: "Yesterday was a chance for me to get some solid kilometres under my belt and get my arms ready for what is going to be a pretty intense few months ahead, with the Commonwealth Games, New York, then I’m getting married and then the World Champs in New Zealand."

Fearnley will join Australian compatriots Richard Colman and Jake Lappin in the 1500 metres wheelchair race in Delhi next month in what will be the first time the event will be staged at the Commonwealth Games.

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