The New York City Marathon usually falls just after Halloween, and as a result, there are always plenty of runners in costume.



On Sunday, one costume in particular delighted thousands of spectators along the 26.2-mile route: Jesus Christ, barefoot, with a large cross strapped to his back.



The sight of the Messiah among a parted sea of runners was reported by dozens of witnesses, many of whom snapped photos of the jogging Jesus and uploaded them to Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.













I found Jesus at the NYC Marathon pic.twitter.com/hd20wUBUG5 — Margaret Milnes (@Milnes123) November 3, 2013

Jesus running the marathon 🙏🌆⛪️➕ pic.twitter.com/ywM62iKKEW — cate walsh (@catewalsh3) November 3, 2013

Craziest costume in the marathon was guy dressed as Jesus with a big cardboard cross on his back. — Ken Wheaton (@kenwheaton) November 3, 2013

I swear....Jesus was running in marathon. I saw it with my own 2 eyes. Unbelievable! Hysteria....;) pic.twitter.com/O9I3vzaA4S — Truth/Justice (@LadyjusticeTine) November 3, 2013

I just saw Jesus running the NYC marathon...for your sins — edouard (@noussommesdieu) November 3, 2013



It appears that Jesus was among the record 50,000-plus runners officially registered for Sunday's marathon.



According to the New York City Marathon website, his bib number — 55-970, affixed, naturally, to the cross — belongs to Makoto Takeuchi, from Chiba, Japan.



No word yet on the Son of God's finishing time, though he did reportedly have a little trouble running with the extra load.





Cheering at the #nycmarathon, and marathon Jesus had me tighten his cross-straps. — don undeen (@donundeen) November 3, 2013























