Rei Iida, 19 year old participant in the Princess Ekiden long-distance running relay race in Fukoka, Western Japan suffered a serious leg injust 200m before her stage was complete. The intrepid runner continued on, crawling on her knees to complete the section and pass the baton to her companion on the Iwatani Sangyo team.

An official from the race organizers later told local news: 'I struggled to decide whether I should stop her, but I felt she could do it as she was almost at her goal'. Iida had suffered a fracture to her right leg and was taken to hospital shortly after completing her section. Doctors say it will require 3 to 4 months to heal.