Australian Olympian Jack Rayner has been pipped by a matter of centimetres after leading into the home straight of the 12km Australian National Road Race Championships.
The Tokyo 2020 marathoner had a lead of a few metres over 24-year-old Isaac Heyne coming around the final corner, barely 100 metres from the finish line.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Jack Rayner pipped in extraordinary finish.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
With about 50 metres to go, Rayner took a look over his right shoulder to make sure he had enough of a buffer.
At that stage, he might have thought he did.
But the look back cost him some crucial momentum and Heyne closed the gap to draw level just a few strides before the line.
Heyne didn’t take the lead until the tape was almost within touching distance, in what was one of the most thrilling finishes to a race you would ever be likely to see.
He crossed the line in 30 minutes and 40 seconds, less than a week after also taking out Sydney’s City2Surf.
Rayner qualified for Tokyo 2020’s marathon, but pulled out early in the race.
Two-time Olympian Izzi Batt-Doyle, fresh from her 5000m performance at Paris 2024, was the first woman across the line in 37:43.
Batt-Doyle narrowly missed the 5000m final at the Games.
Jess Stenson, who was the first Australian woman across the line for the marathon in Paris, finished second.