Man Addresses Viral Video of Dog Biting Him During Marathon, Calling It an “Awkward, Perfect Storm” After Painful Race Turned Unforgettable
For most marathon runners, the toughest part of a race comes when the body starts to give up — exhaustion sets in, muscles cramp, and every mile feels longer than the last. But for Chris Herbs, a dedicated runner from Maine, his race took an unexpected and unforgettable turn. Around mile 21 of the Maine Coast Marathon, just as he was trying to push through nausea and blisters, a dog ran toward him and bit him mid-stride — a bizarre, painful, and strangely comedic moment that quickly went viral online.
Herbs shared that the day had already been rough before the bite even happened. He woke up feeling off, battling an upset stomach and fatigue before the race began. By mile 10, he knew he wasn’t going to hit his personal record, but he kept going, determined to finish. “I decided if it wasn’t going to be my best marathon, I’d at least make it a memorable one,” he said with a laugh in an interview. That decision took on a new meaning when, just as he rounded a corner late in the race, a loose dog sprinted from the side of the road and lunged at him.
The viral video, captured by a spectator’s phone, shows the moment clearly — Chris, focused on the road ahead, suddenly jolts as the dog jumps toward his leg. He manages to keep his balance, waves his arms in confusion, and then keeps running, looking half-shocked and half-amused. The clip spread quickly across social media, with thousands of viewers commenting on the sheer randomness of the moment. “It was the perfect storm of bad luck,” Chris later said. “I was already hurting, and then that happened. Honestly, at that point, I just had to laugh.”
Thankfully, the bite wasn’t severe. Chris finished the marathon, though he admitted the last few miles felt like “running on adrenaline and disbelief.” After crossing the finish line, medical staff checked his leg and cleaned the wound. He later confirmed the dog’s owner came forward, apologized, and ensured the animal was up-to-date on vaccinations. “It was one of those things where no one meant for it to happen,” Chris said. “It was awkward for everyone involved.”
In the days since, the story has become something of a lighthearted internet sensation. People from around the world have shared jokes, memes, and supportive comments with the runner. Many fellow marathoners reached out to tell him they admired his composure — not just for finishing the race, but for how he handled the moment. “I think people just liked seeing something human,” he said. “Sometimes races are about endurance, but sometimes they’re about just rolling with whatever life throws your way — or in this case, whatever bites you.”
While the experience was painful and certainly unexpected, Chris says it hasn’t dampened his love for running. “It’s all part of the story,” he joked. “I’ve run through blisters, rain, and cramps, but this was definitely a new one. It’s going to take a lot to top that.”
He’s already signed up for another marathon later this year and says he hopes his viral moment encourages others to laugh through their setbacks. “Running teaches you patience and perspective,” he said. “You can plan everything perfectly, and something completely random still happens. You just keep moving forward. That’s all you can do.”
As for the video, Chris says he’s trying to see the humor in it. “I mean, it’s kind of poetic,” he added with a grin. “You train for months, and the moment people remember is a dog taking a bite out of your leg. But hey, at least I finished.”
