A drunk man in flip-flops stole the show by nearly beating the other runners and completing the five-mile race even though he was not registered.

The bizarre scene took place in Garrafao do Norte, in the interior of Para, Brazil, and went viral on social media after the event.

Video footage from 3rd August shows the man, identified only as Isaque, standing with the crowd before suddenly sprinting ahead at the start and leading the race through the eight-kilometre course.

Wearing only shorts and flip-flops, he managed to complete the entire race and was awarded a symbolic medal for his effort.

Although not recognised as the official winner, Isaque became a local hero for his spontaneous run and won the hearts of spectators and millions of viewers online.

One TikTok user titled 'Lisy.Nati' said: "He's drunk and running and he still has more stamina than me when I exercise."

Another called 'Vinicius Penachio191' wrote: "[He] left many in the dust."

And 'viva' joked: "Who said that drinking doesn't get you anywhere."

(Mike Leidig / newsX)