Rotich blew up the field with five kilometers left and even though he ran a few meters wrong before he turned into the riot after following a motorcycle that gave way.
However, he had plenty of distance behind when he broke the finish line in the confetti rain in a sunny and windless Paris.
- I am very happy and I set a personal record as well.
I am so grateful to have received an invitation, says Rotich in Eurosport's broadcast.
Ethiopian Hailelmaryam Kiros was 19 seconds behind as second.
As many as five runners were below the legendary Kenenisa Bekele's track record of 2.05.04 from 2014.
Ethiopian Tigist Memuye won the ladies class on 2.26.12.
55,000 runners ran in central Paris in the race that was to be decided in April but was moved due to the pandemic.
ARCHIVE: World record holder Kosgei defeated by another Kenyan (October 3, 2021)
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Joyciline Jepkosgei reaches the finish line as the lucky winner at Buckingham Palace.
Photo: Bildbyrån