In the Canadian city of Conception Bay South, a goat named Joshua unexpectedly joined the marathon. At first he chased the contestants, but eventually overtook them and won the competition.
According to CBC News, the goat's owner, Jeremy Taylor, learned of his charge's disappearance through social media.
How the goat disappeared
It is known that the animal traveled 4 kilometers before it was found.
He tore off his collar, which he had worn for years, and joined the runners, Taylor told reporters in an interview.
Participation in the marathon
Contestants admitted that at one point a goat appeared on their route. The animal first ran after them, and then, ahead of them, won the victory.
We very quickly attached a medal to Joshua's neck. Now he has become a real star. Most of the people who ran the marathon wanted to take pictures with him, said the mayor of the city, Darrin Bent.
The unusual competitor helped to attract public attention to the marathon, so he was invited to become a permanent guest and observer.
"No one expected that Joshua would join us and become a kind of mascot star of the event. The greatest race of all time," added the mayor.