I started a 10km run... but won a half-marathon

A RUNNER who started a 10km race ended up claiming victory in a halfmarathon instead.

But Omer Ahmed was then disqualified when other athletes complained. He had travelled from his home in Birmingham for the 10km race in Bristol on Sunday but took a wrong turn.

Mr Ahmed fell in with the elite entrants of the 2021 Bristol Half Marathon, crossing the finish line in an hour and three minutes, a personal best.

But after objections, the race was awarded to Chris Thompson, who represented Team GB in the marathon at the Tokyo Olympics and finished nearly five minutes behind Mr Ahmed.

The two races began together in the city centre but Mr Ahmed made a mistake when the routes split.

It is the first time the events have been held on the same day after being delayed by the pandemic. Paul Foster, chief executive of The Great Run Company, praised Mr Ahmed’s run but said he had to be disqualified as ‘rules are rules’.