A 40-year-old runner was knocked down by a blue golf during the race and was airlifted to hospital in critical condition.

Mark Easter said the horrific event has scarred him terribly.

“I’m an eyewitness to this traumatic event. I was running in the pack between 5m and 10m behind the woman when the attempted hit and run happened.

“What I witnessed today has totally broken my spirit once and for all when the woman was mowed down by a lawless person with absolute no regard for human lives,” said Easter.

Easter was shocked that the driver could not see the thousands of runners on Atlas Road.

“He simply crossed the line of cones and just mowed the runners down and then still tried to drive off. Come on South Africa, it is time to stop accepting this lawlessness,” he said.

Easter thanked the civilian who had no care for his material possessions and drove after the driver in the blue Golf and forced him off the road with his brand new black Jeep.

He also lauded the actions of another runner who accosted the driver, by pulling him out of the Golf.

Netcare 911 Santi Steinmann said paramedics received a call requesting assistance and upon their arrival at the scene they found a 41-year-old woman had sustained injuries after she was knocked over by a motor vehicle.