GOLD Coast local Michael Shelley has defended his Commonwealth marathon title in extraordinary circumstances after race leader Scotland’s Callum Hawkins collapsed with just over two kilometres remaining.

Hawkins had the gold medal within his grasp after breaking almost two minutes clear of the field but he paid the price for his breakaway tactics as the Queensland heat struck him at the 40km mark.

In disturbing scenes the Scottish runner started to wobble all over the road, running into the barriers before eventually crashing to the road.

He made a number of attempts to get up and continue but was clearly suffering from severe heat exhaustion.

Hawkins, who had led the race from the 20km mark, was taken away in an ambulance.

Shelley was also struggling but managed to stay upright to become the first man since Australian great Robert De Castella to win back-to-back Commonwealth titles.

The 34-year-old grabbed an Australian flag with 100m to go as his adoring home crowd applauded, crossing the line in 2hr16.46sec.

It capped off a wonderful day for Australia with Lisa Weightman winning silver in the women’s race and Jess Trengove the bronze.

Earlier Kurt Fearnley took out the T54 marathon gold with Madison de Rozario winning the women’s event.