Mr. Joshua, the Marathon-Running Goat, Steals the Show at Newfoundland’s T’Railroad Trek Half Marathon

Town of Conception Bay South

Marathons are known for bringing out the toughest competitors—athletes who spend months training, fine-tuning their nutrition, and mentally preparing to push their bodies to the limit. But what happens when a goat with no training, no shoes, and no bib number joins the race—and wins a medal?

That’s exactly what happened in Conception Bay South, Newfoundland, when Mr. Joshua, a friendly goat from Taylor’s Pumpkin Patch, spontaneously decided to enter the annual T’Railroad Trek Half Marathon. With no official registration, no hydration strategy, and certainly no knowledge of race etiquette, he trotted his way into local legend, capturing the hearts of runners, spectators, and even the town’s mayor.

By the time he crossed the finish line, he had completed an impressive 4 kilometers (2.4 miles) and was awarded his own race medal. His journey from pumpkin patch resident to unexpected marathoner is one for the books.

A Race Like No Other: Mr. Joshua’s Great Escape

The T’Railroad Trek Half Marathon is a scenic race that winds through Newfoundland’s forests, towns, and countryside, drawing a mix of serious runners and casual participants. This year, however, an unexpected four-legged competitor stole the spotlight.

As runners made their way past Taylor’s Pumpkin Patch, a farm along the race route, one of its residents decided that simply watching the race wasn’t enough.

That resident? Mr. Joshua, the farm’s beloved goat.

According to Mayor Darrin Bent, who later awarded Joshua his medal, the moment was completely unplanned.

“They have a resident goat, Mr. Joshua,” Bent told CBC News. “And when the runners went past the pumpkin patch, the goat decided, ‘Well, I’m not staying here.’”

Without hesitation, Mr. Joshua took off down the course, blending in with the runners and joining the race like he was meant to be there.

And just like that, Newfoundland’s newest marathoner was born.

How Far Did Mr. Joshua Run?

For a novice endurance athlete, Mr. Joshua’s performance was nothing short of impressive.

• Total distance covered: 4K (2.4 miles)

• Pace: Steady, with occasional bursts of speed

• Running style: Smooth and effortless, adjusting his speed to match nearby runners

Witnesses along the course couldn’t believe their eyes as they saw a goat trotting among the runners. But unlike some marathon participants who struggle with pacing, Joshua seemed to have a natural feel for the race.

“He didn’t just run straight through,” said one runner. “He actually matched his pace with different runners, speeding up and slowing down, like he was adjusting to the group.”

Meanwhile, back at the pumpkin patch, his owner, Mr. Taylor, had no idea his goat had become a local celebrity.

Mr. Taylor Discovers His Goat’s Hidden Talent

While Mr. Joshua was out on the course, running alongside dozens of humans, his owner, Mr. Taylor, was busy with his daily routine.

“I had no idea he had joined the race,” Taylor admitted later. “I just kept seeing videos and photos pop up online.”

As the social media posts flooded in, showing Joshua confidently running the half marathon, Taylor realized what was happening.

He quickly made his way toward the course, where he finally caught up to his runaway racing star. But instead of stopping him, Taylor decided to help Joshua finish what he started.

The two completed the last quarter-mile together, making sure Mr. Joshua’s race ended at the official finish line.

A Goat Gets His Medal: Mr. Joshua Crosses the Finish Line

While Mr. Joshua wasn’t officially registered, by the time he reached the finish line, he had become the most talked-about competitor in the entire race.

Mayor Darrin Bent was among the first to hear about the unusual participant, and while it took him a moment to process what had happened, he quickly made the right call:

Mr. Joshua deserved a medal.

“We very quickly put a medal around his neck, and he became quite the star,” said Bent. “Most people who actually ran the half marathon wanted their picture with Joshua at the finish line.”

In true champion style, Mr. Joshua accepted his medal like a pro, posing for countless photos with exhausted runners who had just completed 13.1 miles—while he had only done 2.4.

But that didn’t matter.

At that moment, he was the most popular finisher of the day.

Local Reaction: The Goat That Stole the Race

Following the race, Mr. Joshua became a viral sensation. Runners, spectators, and event organizers flooded social media with photos and videos of the now-famous goat.

One runner described the experience as "the best thing to ever happen in a race."

Another joked, "I was struggling to keep my pace, and then a GOAT ran past me. Talk about motivation!"

Even non-runners were entertained by the story, with one local resident commenting, "Newfoundland needed this laugh. Who knew a goat would be our new hometown hero?"

Is Mr. Joshua the Fastest Goat in the World?

Mr. Joshua’s unexpected success has led many to wonder:

Is he the world’s fastest running goat?

While there have been other reported cases of goats running in road races, few have officially earned a medal like Joshua. Could this be the beginning of a new running movement—Goat Racing?

Scientists say goats are naturally fast and agile, built for mountainous terrain and sudden bursts of speed. With proper training, some speculate that a goat could potentially outpace a human in short-distance races.

Could Mr. Joshua inspire a new trend in farm animal endurance sports?

Only time will tell.

Final Thoughts: The Unlikeliest Marathon Star

Marathons and half-marathons often have inspiring stories of perseverance and triumph. But Mr. Joshua’s story is something special—a reminder that sometimes, the best adventures happen when you just go for it.

Without a plan, without a strategy, and without a care in the world, this pumpkin patch goat saw an opportunity and ran with it—literally.

And in doing so, he didn’t just steal the show—he stole the hearts of an entire town.

So here’s to Mr. Joshua, Newfoundland’s fastest (and most unexpected) marathon finisher.

He may not have won the race, but he won the internet—and the hearts of every runner that day. 🏅🐐