A marathon runner in China lost first place after race volunteers accidentally sent him in the wrong direction.
The incident took place during the 2024 Hangzhou Marathon held on the morning of November 3.
In the images, Ethiopian runner Tesfaye Deriba Ketema can be seen in the lead, closely followed by his Kenyan rival Moses Kibet.
However, as they approach the finish line, both runners appear to misinterpret the race staff’s hand signals and take a wrong turn.
Both men quickly realize their mistake and run towards the finish line.
November 3rd. In the images, Ethiopian runner Tesfaye Deriba Ketema can be seen in the lead, closely followed by his Kenyan rival Moses Kibet. As they approach the finish line, both runners appear to misinterpret the staff’s hand signals and take a wrong turn.
Both men quickly realize their mistake and race towards the finish line, but with Mr. Kibet now in the lead, who then takes first prize with a time of 2:07:47.
Unfortunately for Ketema, however, the mistake meant that his rival Kibet was able to take the race lead, without even overtaking him.
This is due to the fact that they were forced to turn back to follow the correct route, putting Mr. Kibet in the lead.
Ketema was unable to regain his leading position and Kibet crossed the finish line first, taking first prize with a time of 2:07:47.
Ketema was just six seconds behind, but his mistake cost him dearly as he lost out on the £41,800 first place prize money.
The mistake was costly as it meant Deriba Ketema missed out on the £41,800 first place cash prize.
However, he still took home the respectable second place prize of £18,600.
Meanwhile, in the women’s marathon, Kenya’s Helah Jelagat Kiprop came first with a time of 2:22:57 and, like the men’s race, Sadiya Awel of Ethiopia came two minutes behind Mrs Jelegat Kiprop with a time of 2:24:57.
The northeastern Chinese city has been celebrated annually since 1987.
It is one of the oldest marathons in China and the first took place in Beijing in 1981.
