Endurance runner Gary Robbins, from North Vancouver, Canada, completed the insane race but got lost in the last two miles
AN exhausted runner crossed the finish line of a 100-mile ultra-marathon only to be told he had been disqualified for taking a wrong turn in the final metres of the race.
Endurance runner Gary Robbins, from North Vancouver, Canada, completed the insane Barkley Marathons race amid a chorus of cheers and claps before collapsing to the ground.
But as Gary flops to the ground panting, he is heard whimpering: "I went the wrong way."
His wife Linda is seen comforting him as he trembles on the floor as they wait several nail-biting seconds to see whether or not Gary will be disqualified, reports .
As the crushing feeling sinks in, a well-wisher is heard telling Gary "you did an amazing job" as Linda looks crestfallen.
Gary's fears were confirmed by race organiser Gary 'Laz' Cantrell, who explained that Gary had gone off-course for the final two miles of the race.
He also finished six seconds past the 60-hour time limit in which it must be completed.
On his blog, Gary explained that when he realised his mistake, he didn't have time to go back and correct it as it would have taken him too long.
Athletes run five 32-kilometre loops through the wilderness of Tennessee's Frozen Head State Park, with only two aid stations for water.
Competitors are banned from using any watches, heart rate monitors or digital navigation tools of any kind.
He paid tribute to fellow runner John Kelly, who finished the ultra-marathon at his third attempt.
Gary wrote: "John Kelly deserves more congrats and recognition than I do right now.
"Please take a second to properly congratulate him on his phenomenal accomplishment."
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