Final Sunday, one Argentinian runner discovered himself in some end line confusion on the 2024 Merida Half Marathon in Merida, Mexico.
Juan Esteban Pizarro had the half-marathon all wrapped up within the closing kilometres, surging from third to first total after the 17-kilometre mark. Little did he know, his glory was about to take an sudden detour.
As Pizarro ran towards the ending line, he was prepared to interrupt the tape and pose for the win, however a confused race official mistook him for a 10K finisher for the reason that 10K and half marathon races have been being run concurrently. The officers holding the ending tape rapidly closed it, leaving Pizarro with out his profitable second.
The officers shortly realized their mistake, however it was too late. They requested the Argentinian to make a U-turn and run again onto the course and thru the gantry. Undeterred and possibly fueled by the confusion, Pizarro, having simply run 21.1 kilometres, walked again onto the course for his second effort on the line. This time, he walked his means in to interrupt the tape.
Race winner surrenders victory and prize cash to second-place finisher
Fortunately, Pizarro had a four-minute lead over the second-place finisher, giving him loads of time to repair the mix-up, break the tape and get the first-place end line picture he rightfully deserved.
Regardless of the end line confusion, Pizarro was nonetheless topped champion and took residence the highest prize of $200.
