Shocking moment marathoner misses out on victory when ‘race volunteer accidentally sends him the wrong way’ allowing rival to get ahead

A marathon runner in China missed out on first place after being accidentally sent in the wrong direction by race volunteers.

The incident occurred during the 2024 Hangzhou Marathon, held on the morning of November 3.

The footage shows Ethiopian runner Tesfaye Deriba Ketema in the lead, with his Kenyan rival Moses Kibet close behind.

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 hastily realize their mistake and sprint to the finish.

Both men hastily realize their mistake and sprint to the finish, but with Mr Kibet now in the lead who goes on to take the top prize with a time of 2:07:47

Unfortunately for Mr Ketema, however, the mistake meant that his trailing rival, Mr Kibet, was able to take the lead in the race – without even overtaking him.

This is due to the fact that they were forced to turn back to follow the correct route, giving Mr Kibet the lead.

Mr Ketema was unable to regain his leading position and Mr Kibet crossed the finish line first to claim the top prize with a time of 2:07:47.

Mr Ketema was just six seconds behind, but his mistake was costly as it meant he missed out on the £41,800 cash prize for first place.

The mistake was costly as it caused Mr Deriba Ketema to miss out on the £41,800 cash prize for first place

However, he still took home the respectable second 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, following on from the men’s race, Ethiopia’s Sadiya Awel came two minutes behind Ms Jelegat Kiprop with a time of 2:24:57.

The northeastern Chinese city has held it annually since 1987.

It is one of the oldest marathons in China, with the first taking place in Beijing in 1981.