Marathon Jesus: See photos of NYC runner in holy costume

“Marathon Jesus” made an appearance in New York City on Sunday.

A man named Makoto Takeuchi from Chiba, Japan, according to the name registered under his BIB number, ran the New York City Marathon on Sunday (three days after Halloween) dressed as Jesus.

Wearing only a loin cloth and a crown of thorns while running in bare feet, Marathon Jesus also had a huge cross (reportedly made of either cardboard or foam) strapped to his back. There was a sign in support of the Boston marathon bombing victims attached to the back of the cross.

Needless to say, he caused quite a stir among spectators, who immediately made the mock messiah a social media sensation.

Sadly, Marathon Jesus did not get to cross the finish line with his hands raised in triumph. Nor did he get to thank himself in post-race interviews. Check out these stunning photographs:

It’s not as disturbing as it looks. The NYC Marathon has a no props rule (who knew?) that the police were asked to enforce with Marathon Jesus as he was approaching the 10-mile mark, according to CNN. They took the cross and told Takeuchi he could pick it up after the race, but he showed up at the precinct not long after to claim it, apparently no longer interested in the 26.2-mile trek.

Race or no race, it seems this guy had a cross to bear. According to the marathon’s tracking system, Takeuchi’s last recorded time was 1:49:25, a pace of just under 11 minutes a mile, at the 10-mile marker.

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