This is the moment a fake runner attempts to steal the winner's glory by racing the genuine athlete to the finishing line.

A Kenyan runner was just yards from the winning tape when a man emerged from the crowd in Xunyi, Shaanxi province, China, dressed in athletic gear.

Footage of the bizarre incident on October 13 shows the man, with an authentic-looking number on his chest, racing alongside the legitimate athlete to the final mark.

However, just moments before he could cross the tape, a sharp-eyed official darted forward and tackled him to the ground as the clip ended.

Authorities later confirmed that the man had participated in an earlier five-kilometre fun run before trying to claim the spotlight in the half marathon.

Local media reported that he did not affect the race's outcome and apologised for gatecrashing the race.

It remained unclear if he faced any criminal charges.