A trail runner has shared shocking footage showing competitors being attacked by locals on horseback during a race.
The dramatic clip has racked up more than 9.4 million views on Instagram after it was shared by Chilean runner Mathi Williams.
The incident happened during the 17th edition of the Doble Apolo trail race in the Paso Córdoba Protected Natural Area in General Roca, Río Negro, in northern Argentine Patagonia, as reported by Need To Know.
READ MORE: Family of young man who died during cosmetic surgery waiting for remains to be returned
According to local reports, a group of people on horseback allegedly removed route markings from the 8km course and threw stones at runners in an apparent attempt to disrupt the event.
In the video, runners can be seen stopping on the trail while horse riders block part of the route.
The caption reads: “I have never seen this in my life and I hope not to see it again.
“He was walking as a camera runner and in the km2 of the route of @dobleapolo, locals of the sector violently attacked all runners, without letting them pass freely.
“No to violence! Nature is for everyone!
“Let justice take over.”
According to Río Negro, organisers said the course markings for the 8km route had been removed, leaving many runners disorientated before officials reconstructed the route.
Runner Fernando Castro told the outlet he was struck during the incident and later chose to withdraw from the race.
The footage quickly divided opinion online, with many viewers arguing the runners should not have been on what they claimed was private land.
One person said: “Nature belongs to everyone, but that was theirs. Get out of there that’s private.”
Another wrote: “You have to respect private property.”
A third added: “That generally happens when people run for land without authorization.”
But others defended the runners.
One person said: “No matter how private the territory is, don’t they realize they are sportsmen? They weren’t stealing or breaking anything. Unjustifiable.”
READ MORE: One dead and three missing as family trapped in cave for DAYS
