Plumber who says Tommy Fury shoved him near Great North Run finish speaks out

A runner who says he was shoved aside by Tommy Fury in the final metres of the Great North Run has spoken publicly about the incident, calling the boxer's behaviour "not on." Video that circulated on social media showed Fury weaving through other competitors as he sprinted for the finish, and appeared to push a man to one side on the final bend.

Diarmaid Warner, a 38-year-old plumber from Dumbarton who was running to raise money for muscular dystrophy research, told The Sun he felt a hand on his shoulder as he rounded the last corner and was pushed to the side to allow Fury to pass. "I was a bit upset and thought that's not on — it's not really race etiquette," Warner said, adding he later recognised the man who had bypassed him and told his wife, "You'll never guess what — Tommy Fury's pushed me out of the way." Warner also issued a light-hearted challenge to Fury for a running race and said he would not seek a boxing match.

Fury, 26, a former Love Island contestant turned professional boxer who has increasingly taken part in mass participation running events, has not publicly addressed the latest controversy. The Manchester-born fighter's sprint finishes have stirred public debate this year after a near-miss with an elderly woman during a 10-kilometre race in Tatton Park and questions raised over his participation in a 100-kilometre triathlon on the French Riviera in August.

Organisers of the triathlon later said road closures forced some amateur athletes to abandon the cycling stage, though they reported Fury completed the run and crossed the finish line. The Great North Run, a 13.1-mile course from Newcastle to South Shields, drew nearly 60,000 participants on Sunday and is typically lined by large crowds; organisers said around 200,000 spectators supported runners along the route. The event itself made headlines after officials apologised for finisher medals and T-shirts that mistakenly featured a map of Sunderland's River Wear rather than Newcastle's River Tyne.

Footage of Fury weaving through runners at the Great North Run prompted criticism on social media, where commentators questioned his handling of crowded race conditions. Warner said many runners begin behind slower participants and "you just weave your way around them. You don't push them out of the way." He described taking part in the mass event and being mindful of other competitors, while expressing frustration at being moved aside in the closing metres.

The incident adds to ongoing scrutiny of Fury's appearances in endurance events, where his high-profile presence and signature late sprints have drawn attention beyond the boxing ring. Fury's team and Great North Run organisers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Warner said he would be willing to race Fury on foot and reiterated that his remarks were aimed at upholding race etiquette rather than escalating the matter.