What was supposed to be a proud charity run turned into a talking point for all the wrong reasons after Tommy Fury’s sprint finish at the Great North Run left another runner frustrated.
The incident has sparked debate about sportsmanship, with one competitor claiming the reality star pushed him aside just before the finish line.
The Moment Things Turned Sour
Among nearly 60,000 runners tackling the famous Newcastle-to-South Shields half marathon, Fury once again went viral for his aggressive sprint.
As he weaved through the final bend, video clips appeared to show him shoving fellow runner Diarmaid Warner, a 38-year-old plumber, to clear his way.
For Warner, who had been running to raise funds for muscular dystrophy research, the moment was disappointing.
He recalled that just as he was navigating the last turn, a hand landed on his shoulder before he was nudged out of the way.
“That’s Not On”
Speaking afterwards, Warner admitted the shove caught him off guard.
“At the finish you think it’s straight ahead, then suddenly there’s one more right turn.
As I went around it, I felt a hand on my shoulder and I was pushed aside,” he explained. “I was a bit upset. It’s not really race etiquette.”
Later, he realised it wasn’t just any runner—it was Tommy Fury.
“I told my wife, you’ll never guess what – Tommy Fury’s pushed me out of the way,” he said.
Family Backing and Social Media Buzz
The clip has already done the rounds online, with many questioning Fury’s behaviour.
Warner’s mother even chimed in on Facebook, calling her son “the real hero” for finishing a full 12 minutes ahead of the celebrity.
“He’s our champion,” she wrote proudly.
A Challenge to Fury
Warner, a father-of-two from Dumbarton, isn’t holding a grudge, though. Instead, he threw down a playful challenge.
“I’d take him on in a running race,” he joked, before adding with a laugh: “Not a boxing match, unless he has one hand tied behind his back.”
Fury’s Growing List of Sporting Controversies
This isn’t the first time Fury’s running has caused a stir.
Just months ago, he was criticised after nearly colliding with an elderly woman during a 10k in Cheshire.
Back in January, he also raised eyebrows when footage showed another close call with a pensioner during a Tatton Park run.
And last month, questions were raised about his 100km triathlon in the French Riviera, with data suggesting he didn’t complete the cycling leg.
While organisers explained that road closures forced many amateurs to abandon their bikes, Fury still crossed the line and celebrated.
The Great North Run Blunders
The Great North Run itself had its share of mishaps.
Organisers were forced to apologise after a mix-up on medals and T-shirts, which mistakenly displayed a map of Sunderland’s River Wear instead of Newcastle.
A cheeky “Wear sorry” statement followed, but that gaffe has since been overshadowed by Fury’s sprint.
Warner’s Final Word
For Warner, it’s about respect. “I started with thousands of people who were slower than me, but you just weave your way around them,” he said firmly. “You don’t push them out of the way.”