This was the shocking moment a car plowed through a foot race in France.

Elisa Bernard, 32, was taking part in the Urban Trail of Nantes on Sunday (Oct 26), when she narrowly escaped a car hurtling down the race's route.

Roads across Nantes had been shut off for the race, which attracts around 2,000 runners.



Elisa was mid-way through the race, when she heard a loud engine noise behind her and within seconds, a vehicle shot past her at high speeds.

Elisa captured the terrifying moment the car charged forwards into the large crowd of runners, hitting one of them.

Elisa, who lives in Nantes, said: "I was very scared. "

"Fortunately, I was already on the side of the road when it happened. "

"I heard shouting, people screaming 'watch out! watch out' and above all the shouts I heard the sound of the car speeding up. "

"I immediately moved aside."

Moments later, police vehicles with sirens blared past, chasing the car.

Elisa believes the driver was fleeing law enforcement and accidentally - or in panic - entered the race route.

Elisa said: "From what I could see, the person behind the wheel was fleeing from the police. "

"They entered, either by mistake or deliberately, the race route while being chased by law enforcement officers."

"Unfortunately a runner was hit further along the course. "

"He was quickly assisted by the emergency services on site and it was only a minor injury to his elbow."

Nantes Police have been contacted for comment.