19th May 2013 00:07
They tried to tie the race – but the two leading Russians forgot all about electronic recording.
Nikolay Markov and Pavel Parshin held hands aloft as they crossed the finish line, but that pesky tenth of a second split them at last.
The latter got the nod, but you can bet the room they share at the Saransk Walking Centre in Russia sees the two medals side by side on their table.
The pair was exactly that from the gun, inseparable, save for a couple of minutes when Spaniard Alvaro Martin got in between them at the beginning.
That lasted but half a lap and there on it was a just a question of how much they would win by – and in the end not as much they thought.
Fast improving, Vito Minei tried to rein in the pair but even though the Italian claimed a brave bronze, after walking alone for the second half of the race, the few seconds' difference proved elusive.
The two Russians and Martin hit the first kilometre at 4:05, with the next lap marginally quicker with a group of six including the welcome sight of a new nation – Türkiye, challenging for top honours.
The Russian double act then did a disappearing act down the road to hit 3k in 12:10, with Martin settling for safety in the next group.
There was 15 seconds from Russia to a Spanish pairing, now Marc Tur and Menei had joined the chase.
It was 20:28 at half way, with Martin paying for his early charge when shown the dreaded red disc that means disqualification.
Minei was now a safe third, with Tur already 100m behind and tiring. In contrast, Marius Savelskis leapt ahead for fourth to get Lithuania a long-awaited mention at a major walk.
There were plenty of personal bests, nine in the first 17, despite the fact it was high noon and blistering.
Parshin was surprised he wasn't allowed to tie with his friend.
'We are great friends in and out of training, and we wanted this to be a joint win,' he said. 'It doesn't matter, we know what wanted to do.'
Minei is now looking forward to the European Junior Championships on home soil at Rieti in July.
He added: 'It was hot, but I live in the south of Italy, and this', he said pointing to the sun, 'is normal for me.'