Hyvon Ngetich, a 29-year-old elite long distance runner from Kenya, led for much of the women's race in last weekend's Austin Marathon but her legs gave out about 50 yards short of completing the course.
Ngetich refused aid as she literally crawled across the finish line for third place.
Her heroic effort was cheered on by spectators well after crossing the finish line. She refused a wheelchair after being helped to her feet. Ngetich finished in a time of 3:04:02.68.
After her extraordinary determination, the race organisers increased her third-place prize money to ensure she received the same as the second-placed runner.
