The men’s 400m at the Stawell Gift has ended in devastating circumstances for race favourite Aidan Green after he fell from the lead just 10m from the finish.
The 23-year-old set the fastest time in the heats and looked on course for a win when he rounded the final bend with a gap, but it all came unstuck on the push to the end.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Rivals rush to support Aidan Green after fall at the finish.
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Green started alongside 16-year-old Dashiell Muir in the second row among the eight competitors and he quickly moved towards the lead pack.
He rushed to the front by the third turn and put metres between himself and the competition.
Muir by this point was fast approaching but still had work to do, with Green looking comfortable until about 60m to go.
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Green began to grimace and one final attempt to hold off Muir proved his undoing, the race leader crashing to the turf across the 10m mark.
Muir took the win as officials and other runners surrounded Green, whose tears showed just how much the race had meant to him.
“That was what happens in 400m,” commentator Tamsyn Lewis Manou said on Channel 7.
“You don’t only have to get to the front and unfortunately Aiden Green worked so hard down that back straight to get in front, he knew he had to because there were quality athletes behind him.
“He just got the wooden legs that you can get in a 400m.
As replays rolled, Manou added: “He starts to climb stairs. He’s really struggling, that grass is feeling like quicksand and unfortunately he just couldn’t make it to the end.”
Muir, who won a junior title on Stawell Gift weekend when he was younger, took out the $2000 win with Hudson Downes finishing runner-up ($640) and Harrison Kerr, the 2022 Stawell Gift winner, rounding out the podium ($400).
Muir said he was giving his best in the “duel” with Green.
“Congrats to Aidan,” he offered as he caught his breath.
Green was spotted on his feet soon afterwards, a positive sign that he did not suffer any injuries in the fall.
Charlie Hildyard also failed to finish the race when he appeared to suffer a hamstring problem.
Meanwhile, the event was put on hold just after 1.30pm due to lightning and torrential rain.
The heavens opened moments before Peter Bol featured in the 1000m race, which went ahead without issue as the Olympian finished second in a thrilling finish.
But the weather soon cut the TV feed and subsequently forced organisers to halt proceedings.
“Unbelievable scenes,” commentator David Culbert wrote.
“Women’s and men’s gift finals still to come. Thought I’d seen everything here!!”