Boston Marathon 2014: Runner carried over finish line by fellow competitors after collapsing

Boston Marathon runner carried over the finishing by good Samaritans after collapsing with 100 metres to go

For one Boston Marathon runner, it was nearly a case of so near but yet so far.

Having completed 26 miles of the 26.2 mile race, the unnamed man collapsed with the finishing line just metres away.

His raced looked over, and his physical state didn’t look too good either.

Desperately in need of medical attention, two good Samaritans took it upon themselves to help the felled runner.

However, instead of guiding the runner to an ambulance, the two were committed to ensuring that the exhausted runner completed the race.

First taking an arm each, the pair tried to help the man cross the line on his own two feet.

Quickly realising that this was impossible, they then enlisted the help of two others, and taking a limb each the carried the over the finishing line.

According to Wesley Lowery, The Washington Post journalist who captured the whole event on camera and posted it on Twitter, the image of the unconscious runner being carried by the good Samaritans received the biggest cheer of the day.

This year's race was the first Marathon to take place in the city since the terrorist attack that occurred at last year's event.

The attack that was carried out by brothers Dzokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, saw three people die and over 250 injured.

The men's race was won this year by American Meb Keflezighi, the first American winner since 1983.