Kenyan Marathoner’s Victory Slips Away Because He Is Chased By Dog During Race
When it comes to running marathons, you never know what kind of unexpected challenges you might face. Athletes deal with everything from crazy weather to muscle cramps, but sometimes life surprises them. Just ask Kenyan runner Robert Kimutai Ngeno, who had quite a ride during the recent Buenos Aires Marathon and you will know.
Ngeno, a 29-year-old Kenyan speedster, was doing great in the race. He was leading from the 25th to the 38th kilometer and even hit the halfway point in just 63 minutes. Victory seemed within his grasp. But then, out of nowhere, a dog decided to join the fun and started chasing him, making him go off course. While onlookers rushed to the scene in an effort to frighten the persistent dog away, their efforts were ineffective.
Thankfully, the dog didn't bite him, but it sure messed up his focus. Ngeno had to zigzag and sprint, trying to stay ahead of his new furry rival. Luckily, some quick-thinking fans stepped in and succeeded in shooing the dog away. But by then, Ngeno had lost his lead and ended up finishing in third place, with a time of 2 hours, 10 minutes, and 16 seconds. Not bad, but not the win he was hoping for.
The top two spots went to his fellow Kenyan runners, Cornelius Kibet Kiplagat and Paul Tanui, who's also an Olympic silver medalist in the 10,000m race.
As if that wasn't enough, the dog chase cost Ngeno big time. He missed out on the top prize of over USD $10,000. Ngeno even tried to protest the results with Athletics Kenya, but they said no. In the end, he had to settle for the third-place prize, which was around $3,000. Life can be pretty unpredictable, even on the marathon course!
The bizarre incident became an immediate hit on Argentinian social media, leading to a flood of playful memes and conversations about the unexpected canine.
Source: GTV SPORTS+
One user couldn't resist a bit of sarcasm, quipping, "When a dog is chasing you, you run for your life. He should have probably finished first."
Among the laughter and humor, it's worth noting that Ngeno's encounter with the dog highlighted the significance of ensuring safety and order in competitive races. After all, they may be "man's best friend," but races are races!
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