Defending champion Robert Korzeniowski of Poland broke his own world best to win his third world 50km men's walk title today but Ireland's only athlete in the race Jamie Costin failed to finish.
Korzeniowski, 35, clocked three hours 36 minutes and three seconds on a muggy morning in the French capital, beating the previous best of 3:36:39 he set in winning the European title in Munich last year.
Russian German Skurygin, stripped of his world gold in Seville in 1999 for doping, gave valiant chase and won silver in 3:36:42. German Andreas Erm took bronze in 3:37:46.
"I had difficult moments, not really physically but mentally, because I knew I was on course for the world record and Skurygin was really strong. The crowd kept telling me to push harder and I did what I was told," said Korzeniowski.
The Pole recorded the second world men's walk best of the championships, following Ecuador's Jefferson Perez, who set a new standard in taking gold in the 20 km on the opening day.
Korzeniowski has dominated the event since winning Olympic gold in 1996. He also won an unprecedented 20-50 km double at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, but did not attempt the feat here.
Jamie Costin had hopes of a top 15 finish but the 26-year-old struggled, in what is, perhaps the most enduring race in athletics.