Fun, insane and ridiculous: Best running-related moments of 2015

From Canadian records to great performances at the world championships, there was plenty to talk about in 2015 in regards to Canadian athletics. But amidst the stories of performances in 2015, there were plenty of gaffes and The Onion-like headlines over the past year.

RELATED: The year in review: Biggest running stories of 2015.

Here are some of the wackier news stories that happened in 2015 in our ‘fun, insane and most ridiculous moments of 2015’ feature.

Fun

Runner re-creates Star Wars characters and symbols on Nike+.

With the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Gene Lu went on a pair of 10-mile-plus runs to complete the intricate routes consisting of Darth Vader and an All Terrain Armored Transport.

Man runs intricate route to create a Movember portrait

David Miller decided to get a little more creative in drawing attention to the Movember cause running 24.3 kilometres to complete the portrait of a man with a mustache and a monocle.

Spoof video mocks runners for shameless self-promotion

Spoofing runners who brag about their training and racing accomplishments and post it all over social media, this video has hit some pretty key runner habits in a less than three-minute segment.

German subway station gets track-themed makeover

A German subway station had a makeover in advance of its bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics with the underground being transformed into a runner’s paradise. Unfortunately, the Hamburg bid was turned down shortly after.

This piece of gear may be the best way to freak out other runners this winter

Teya Salat, a 22-year-old Russian tattoo model, is behind these animal-themed balaclavas that have gone viral since being published on Bored Panda.

Ethan Hawk runs the New York City Marathon, admits running struggles on to Stephen Colbert

Ethan Hawke was featured on The Late Night Show with Stephen Colbert, where Hawke opened up to the struggles of racing a marathon as well as the last-minute regrets runners experience on the starting line.

Beer miler goes on Ellen and gets a one-year supply of beer

Canadian Lewis Kent, the world record holder in the beer mile, was featured on The Ellen Show in December and earned a one-year supply of beer.

RELATED: Track, cross-country, and roads: How Canadian distance runners fared in 2015.

Insane

1,000 runners ill after French mud run

After France’s Mud Day race at Nice’s Côte d’Azur, which took place on June 20, 1,000 of the 8,400 mud run participants reported symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, including diarrhea, vomiting and fever.

Ultimate stair climber covers 400-metres in 65 seconds

Finnish distance runner and orienteering competitor, Marten Bostrom completed a 400-metre stretch of stairs in 64.99 seconds, a time similar to what an athlete would run on the track for the same distance.

Multiple deaths at Running of the Bulls in Spain

Seven people were killed during the annual running of the bulls festival during the summer.

Ridiculous

Japanese monkey man breaks 100m world record on all fours

This Japanese man, known as the ‘monkey man,’ went bananas during his 100m world record run where he ran using his feet and arms.

Usain Bolt gets taken down by a cameraman on a segway at the IAAF World Championships

Usain Bolt has shown time and time again that he cannot be taken down on the track, winning multiple world championship gold medals this summer in Beijing. The one caveat being that he can (and was) taken down by a segway in a cameraman accident.

RELATED: Five must-see trail running videos of 2015.

Marathon dad offered $100,000 to prove he can run a 3:11 marathon

LetsRun.com‘s detective work made headlines for bringing runner Mike Rossi to light, going as far as offering him $100,000 to run a 3:11:45 marathon (a time he claimed he could run), after the internet forum uncovered he may have cheated his way into the Boston Marathon.