Runner face plants his way to victory

There aren't too many runners who would want to face plant across the finish line, but for one US high school athlete, the reward was worth the embarrassment.

Texas-based Kingwood High School claimed the 4x400m relay after edging out rivals Manvel in a gripping finish at the University Interscholastic League State Track and Field Championships.

But it was Kingwood's final runner, DeWitt Thomas, who stole the show, leaping across the line in a last ditch effort to beat Manvel's Howard Fields.

The two combatants are sprinting for the finish line, neck-and-neck, ahead of the field as the crowd roars them on.

But just as it looks like a photo finish will be needed to separate the front two, Thomas, in the blue, stretches out his neck, loses control and falls across the line, crashing face-first into the hard turf.

However, the acrobatic, if not clumsy, finish was just what was needed to secure victory, Kingwood taking the win by four tenths of a second.

The crazy finish has become an instant hit on social media with Olympic hurdler and bobsledder Lolo Jones poking fun at the young runner.

When they announce they're boarding the plane and everyone has carry ons. #trackFaceTuesday pic.twitter.com/49rnoJWZ8c

— Lolo Jones (@lolojones) May 19, 2015