The winner of the 2021 Bristol Half Marathon revealed he thought he was just running the 10k route after crossing the line.
Omer Ahmed, from Birmingham, sped towards the line and broke the tape at 63 minutes - his personal best for a half marathon.
But it was not until after the race that Omer explained he believed he was on the 10k course for most of the race.
READ MORE: Great Bristol Run in pictures: Runners cross start line for half marathon and 10K
The athlete, who trains with Birchfield Harriers, said: "At the beginning, I thought I was doing a 10k.
"Then I asked someone when I reached the sixth mile, ‘is this a 10k’ and they said ‘no, it’s a half marathon.’
"After that I slowed down a bit, so it's amazing that I've set a new personal best."
This is the first year the Great Bristol Half Marathon and Great Bristol 10k have been held on the same day.
Follow our live blog for updates on both races here.
Runners started in staggered waves, which were colour-coded according to ability.
Omer set off in the first wave along with the fast-paced 10K entrants and the half marathon runners expected to finish quickest.
The two routes diverge at Merchant's Road, with the 13-mile route heading out along the Portway and the 10k runners continuing back in towards the city centre.
It seems Omer, who had entered the shorter race, followed the half-marathon route and ended up winning.
He said: "It feels great, I never expected to win. I think after this I will go and meet up with my clubmates.
"My next event is a relay and then I might do the Cardiff 10K."
But this is not Omer's first title this year as he is a highly decorated athlete sponsored by Hoka running gear.
Last month, he claimed victory at the Cosford Spitfire 10K and even set a new course record.
