Alistair Brownlee‘s race return almost came to a shuddering halt in bizarre style at the PTO European Open in Ibiza when a pedestrian walked out in front of him when he was in full flow on the run.

Close call for Brownlee

The double Olympic champion had a hugely frustrating 2022 that was blighted by injury and illness. And his comeback was delayed this season when “a slightly sore hip” ruled him out of IRONMAN South Africa in early March.

So all triathlon fans were delighted to see him back in action in Ibiza and everything had gone smoothly up until the moment a seemingly distracted pedestrian walked across the run track as it meandered around the town.

It came when Brownlee was out on his own at the front of the men’s race, holding a lead of nearly 30 seconds early on the run. Thankfully his shouts alerted the person – and maybe the marshalls – in the nick of time.

‘Happy… to get to the finish line’

A collision was just averted but Brownlee could do nothing about the charging Max Neumann who would come post him later on the run and the Brit would cross the line in sixth.

But speaking on his social channels, Brownlee said: “Happy to stand on a start line, race hard from the gun and get to the finish line today.

“It’s good to be back!”