Spain's Francisco Fernandez survived a late scare with an official to claim the first gold medal of the championships in the event.

Fernandez was nearly knocked over as an official almost stepped out in front of him just as he approached the stadium in another embarrassing incident for the organisers.

But Fernandez managed to avoid a collision and went to win in a championship record time of one hour 18 minutes 37 seconds having been third at the last Europeans in Budapest four years ago.

Russia’s Vladimir Andreyev was second (1:19.36) with Juan Molina completing a medal double for Spain in 1:20.36.