Runner completes relay marathon with broken leg by crawling to finish line

A teenage runner completed her stage of a relay marathon by crawling on all fours after breaking her leg during the race.

Rei Iida, a university student from Japan, fell awkwardly and fractured her right leg during her 2.2-mile stretch of the 26-mile race.

But instead of giving up, the 19-year-old bravely crawled around 200 metres to her personal finish line where she passed her sash to her teammate.

Iidas teammate was seen crying as she waited to start her leg of the race.

Television footage showed blood pouring out of Iidas knees after she had finished crawling.

A trail of blood also remained on the painted white lines on the road after the race had ended.

Iida was intent on completing her stretch and after being asked by a race marshal if she wanted to quit she reportedly replied: How many metres are left until my goal?

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Race marshals were unable to contact the head judge about Iidas injury, which is why she was allowed to continue crawling to her finish line.

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The head judge said after the event: I struggled to decide whether I should stop her, but I felt she could do it as she was almost at her goal.

Iida was subsequently taken to hospital where she was treated for her injuries.

More: Japan

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