A tortoise raced with a hare and unexpectedly won - even charging ahead from the start unlike in the popular Aesop fable.

The shelled sulcata was drawn against the cuddly pet during a miniature sprint competition at an animal event in Bangkok, Thailand, on September 17.

Footage shows the African-spurred tortoise named Rod Tang and its sprightly opponent gearing up at the starting line as the kids and parents cheered them on.

But when the pair were released, only Rod Tang crawled forward, albeit slowly, while the other animal stayed on its spot, refusing to move.

Unlike in the famed children's story, the tortoise Rod Tang was the animal that charged ahead first, leaving the opponent a long way behind.

He reached the finish line while the hare did not even move an inch away from its owner, who struggled to try and encourage it to hop forward.

Onlooker Moz Manassamon said: 'Everybody thought the hare would run away first but it only stood on the starting line. The tortoise was slower but smarter and just walked gently forward.'

Aesop's classic fable, 'The Tortoise and the Hare' tells the story of a hare who is very proud of his speed and challenges a tortoise to a race. The arrogant hare almost wins but rests mid-race and oversleeps while the tortoise reaches the finish line.