Marathon runner loses out on medal place after tripping over a dog

A marathon runner had his chances of winning a silver medal scuppered after a dog ran into his path metres before the finish line.

Kenyan athlete Paul Kuira was in second place as he ran the final stage of the New Year Ekiden Championship in Japan on January 1.

As he held the lead on a group of runners, a small black dog escape its owner’s clutches and bounded directly into Kuira’s path.

With little time to react, the athlete stumbled over the dog and fell to his knees before jumping back onto his feet and continuing with the race.

But the incident, which happened within a matter of seconds, cost the Kuira a medal place, finishing in 12th position and 21 seconds behind the winner.

The race, which take place in the Gunma Prefecture, starts and ends in the city of Maebashi, passing through major cities including Takasaki and Kiryu.