SOME runners were given a fright when a bear crossed through a Colorado race route.

Donald Sanborn said he was about five miles into the Garden of the Gods 10 Mile Run on Sunday when the bear ambled across a roadway near Colorado Springs.

Mr Sanborn said the animal seemed to be trying to decide whether to zip across the road filled with runners when a large enough gap finally emerged for the bear to get through.

He said he has encountered bears, elk, turkeys, bobcats and other interesting wildlife on training runs, but has not seen an animal like this in a race.

To read the full story, click here.