Fun runs are all about having a good time, trying to beat your PBs, and, most importantly, raising some money for charity. However, one male participant in Saturday's Savannah Bridge Run 10K has left a rather sour note on the event, after slapping a TV reporter’s bum live on air as she was reporting about the race.

Georgia station WSAV-TV was on-site for the race, with reporter Alex Bozarjian addressing the viewers as delighted joggers ran past and gestured at the camera. But one runner - wearing a hat and sunglasses overstepped the boundaries when he leaned down and smacked the Bozarjian's behind, leaving her visibly shocked and momentarily speechless.

Check out the disgraceful moment in the video below:

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Despite the disturbing turn of events, Bozarjian was able to compose herself and continue with the broadcast.

One stunned viewer who watched the incident tweeted: "We watch @WSAV in our house every single morning. Their staff is like extended family to us. I'm furious about this."

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Alex Bozarjian has since responded to the incident, writing on Twitter: "To the man who smacked my butt on live TV this morning: You violated, objectified, and embarrassed me. No woman should EVER have to put up with this at work or anywhere!! Do better."

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Bozarjian's tweet has since been retweeted over 170,000 times at the time of this writing, and 'liked' more than 630,000 times.

Of course, this is far from the first time a female news reporter has been harassed on live TV:

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Robert Wells, director of the Savannah Sports Council who organizes the charity run, responded to the reporter's tweet and vowed to find the runner, writing: "Alex, what happened today is 100% unacceptable. You have my assurance we will identify him".

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Caitlyn Penter, a journalist for North Carolina TV station WLOS, also tweeted out her support for Bozarjian, simply writing: "DO NOT TOUCH REPORTERS. Period."

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A representative from the Savannah Police Department has since told NBC News that authorities have spoken with Bozarjian regarding the incident, confirming that they will be supporting her. Department rep Keturah Greene said:

"All I can say is we have made contact with Alexandrea and we are definitely going to be working with her in any capacity on how she’d like to move forward with this incident."

Earlier this week, footage emerged of a reporter seemingly being assaulted live on-air as she was covering a charity run.

The incident took place at the Savannah Bridge Run in Savannah, Georgia, where 23-year-old WSAV-TV reporter Alex Bozarjian was covering the event. As she did so, a man in a hat and sunglasses appeared to slap her backside as he ran past, and while she managed to regain her composure while working, she took to Twitter afterward to slam him for his actions.

To see the moment the reporter was slapped on the behind, check out the video below:

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The 23-year-old reporter wrote on Twitter: "To the man who smacked my butt on live TV this morning: You violated, objectified, and embarrassed me. No woman should EVER have to put up with this at work or anywhere!! Do better."

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"He took my power, and I'm trying to take that back," Bozarjian told CBS News. "I think what it really comes down to is that he helped himself to a part of my body."

Because the clip was public, people online then went on a mission to identify the man, Inside Edition has reported. He was identified as 43-year-old Tommy Callaway of Statesboro, Georgia, as a result of the number on race his bib.

Check out Callaway's interview below:

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Now, he has spoken out about the incident, telling Inside Edition that he did not intend to assault the 23-year-old. Instead, he had planned to wave at her camera, but he missed and accidentally touched Bozarjian. He said:

"I was caught up in the moment. I was getting ready to bring my hands up and wave to the camera to the audience, there was a misjudge in character and decision-making. I touched her back; I did not know exactly where I touched her."

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In an interview with CBS News, a Savannah police spokesperson said they were willing to work with Bozarjian to address the situation in a manner she feels is appropriate.

Sadly, this is not the first time a female reporter has been subjected to this kind of behavior:

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Callaway's attorney Joseph Turner released a statement on Monday night saying that his client "did not act with any criminal intentions."

"Tommy is a loving husband and father who is very active in the community. We have been in touch with WSAV and representatives of Ms. Alex Bozarjian, as well as members of Savannah law enforcement. We do not expect any criminal charges to arise from this incident, and we are working with those involved to correct the situation."

A runner who took part in Saturday's Savannah Bridge 10K Run in Georgia has been banned from participating in all future events after he was captured by television cameras slapping the bum of a female news reporter as she broadcasted live.

Reporter Alex Bozarjian was conducting a report for Georgia station WSAV-TV as delighted joggers ran past and gestured at the camera. However, Bozarjian was left visibly shocked and momentarily speechless when one male running - seen wearing sunglasses and a hat - allegedly smacked her behind.

Check out the disgraceful moment in the video:

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Now, Savannah Sports Council - who organized the event - has responded to the incident in a series of tweets, revealing that the runner will be banned from future events:

"Yesterday at the Enmarket Savannah Bridge Run a reporter from WSAV was inappropriately touched by a registered participant of the event.

"Our title sponsor, Enmarket and the Savannah Sports Council take this matter extremely seriously and fully condemn this individual’s actions."

"Yesterday afternoon we identified him and shared his information with the reporter and her station."

"We will not tolerate behavior like this at a Savannah Sports Council event. We have made the decision to ban this individual from registering for all Savannah Sports Council owned races."

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Following the incident, Bozarjian tweeted her anger at the runner, saying: "To the man who smacked my butt on live TV this morning: You violated, objectified, and embarrassed me. No woman should EVER have to put up with this at work or anywhere!! Do better."

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Twitter]]

Caitlyn Penter, a journalist for North Carolina TV station WLOS, also tweeted out her support for Bozarjian, simply writing: "DO NOT TOUCH REPORTERS. Period."

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Twitter]]

Robert Wells, director of the Savannah Sports Council who organizes the charity run, ensured the reporter that the organization will identify the runner in question, writing: "Alex, what happened today is 100% unacceptable. You have my assurance we will identify him".

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A representative from the Savannah Police Department has also informed NBC News that authorities have spoken with Bozarjian regarding the incident, confirming that they will be supporting her. Department rep Keturah Greene said:

"All I can say is we have made contact with Alexandrea and we are definitely going to be working with her in any capacity on how she’d like to move forward with this incident."

We will have to wait and see what Bozarjian chooses to do moving forward. More on this story as it develops...

A man who was filmed spanking a female reporter on the backside during a live broadcast of a community running race has been arrested on a charge of sexual battery.

Thomas Calloway, who is a married youth pastor and Boy Scout leader, has been at the centre of controversy all week as a result of his actions. 

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The incident occurred as journalist Alex Bozarjian was commentating on the event as dozens of excited runners sped past waving at the camera. In the clip, Calloway can be seen approaching Bozarjian from behind at speed before striking her. Bozarjian, looking understandably alarmed, glares after him before continuing her report. 

Check out the footage of the incident here:

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Due to the furore that followed the video’s appearance on social media, the situation began to develop rapidly. According to authorities, Bozarjian filed a police report against Calloway on Wednesday, describing the incident as a “smack and grab”. This prompted Calloway to turn himself in to the authorities, before posting a $1,300 bail bond. 

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In an interview with CBS This Morning, Bozarjian described how angry the incident had made her feel, stating:

“It was extremely vulnerable. I would say that the reason why maybe it caught so much fire is because the emotion is extremely relatable for women all over the world.”

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In a later interview with WSAV, Calloway attempted to apologise to Bozarjian, saying:

“Alex, I am sorry. I did not mean to do this. I think you’re a great, great asset to this community and to the local media and to the national media. You’re very talented. You’re an amazing woman from what I’ve gathered, and I apologize.”

If found guilty, Calloway could face either 12 months in jail or a $5,000 fine.

A woman has taken to social media to call out the "disgusting" treatment of female reporters while working out in the field.

Sharing the unsettling moment to Twitter, Spectrum News 1 reporter Brianna Hamblin was preparing for a TV broadcast from Rochester, New York. However, with the camera rolling and Hamblin waiting for her report to begin, she was approached by two men making unsolicited comments about her appearance.

One can be heard saying she looks "nice", and the other went on to say she was "beautiful as hell".

Looking uncomfortable by the comments, Hamblin did her best to ignore the men and responded with a swift "thank you", as she begins to look at her cell phone.

However, her attempts to not engage with the second man were not received, and instead, he continued to disrupt her and ask why she was on television. Hamblin jokingly responded that he should "go find a TV and watch Spectrum News" - but this prompted him to make yet another inappropriate comment.

"See that’s why I can’t be left alone with a Black woman," he said - adding a racial slur referring to individuals who are of mixed African and European descent.

In an attempt to bring the unwanted conversation to an end, Hamblin told the man: "All right, we are done here. Have a great rest of your day". But the man did not take the hint, and instead said: "You are sexy as f***".

Sharing the clip to Twitter, Hamblin wrote alongside it: "Being hit on and harassed as a woman, especially as a woman reporter out in the field, happens so often you learn how to roll with it or ignore it. This time it happened to be recorded only seconds before my hit. There are A LOT of things wrong with this."

She added in subsequent tweets: "The audacity of the things men say to me never ceases to amaze me. What makes you think women want to be talked to that way? In no way is this endearing. It’s uncomfortable. It’s gross."

"Being a Black woman in this industry has its own headaches, but talking down on one group of women to “praise” another group is NEVER okay. It just shows you have a disgusting fetish based on stereotypes, which is just as racist," she added.

After amassing over 4.9 million views on the social media platform, Hamblin has received an outpouring of support - with many other reporters and journalists speaking out against her treatment.

Fox4 reporter Lynnanne Nguyen replied to the video saying: "To everyone surprised at this behavior, I promise you this does not shock a single female reporter. Happens to us all the time."

And ESPN reporter Jenna Laine commented: "Women are well aware of the harassment other women face in the field. But not everyone recognizes that Black women can be targeted and put in an even more vulnerable position.

"We must exercise more vigilance as colleagues. We must do a better job of looking out."

CBS meteorologist Andrew Baglini even went on to decalre: "If I was a woman, I would have been out of this industry a looooong time ago. I've seen, read, and heard some of the things you deal with, but I'm guessing I only know 5% of it. But that 5% is enough to drive me away. You're way stronger than I am. Sorry doesn't begin to cut it."

Featured image credit: Panther Media GmbH / Alamy

A female sports reporter has taken to social media to share footage of the moment she was 'violated' by football fans.

Lyndsey Gough, a Sports Director for the Georgia-based CBS-affiliated television station WTOC11, was on-hand during the fallout from the NCAA Clemson Tigers v. Georgia Bulldogs game on Saturday.

However, with her camera rolling, Gough was approached by several fans who could be seen crowding the reporter.

Taking to Twitter following the incident, Gough wrote to her 7,700+ followers: "Got all kinds of violated during my first live hit by fans."

She added: "I am ok folks. I was startled and frazzled but we recovered."

The reporter then shared a video of the moment she was approached by fans, along with the caption: "After the first guy touched me I started rolling... this isn't even all of it. So uncomfortable. Can we please respect people's space."

In the footage, a first man can be seen approaching Gough and saying "Hello" to the camera. The reporter responds by telling him: "Please don't touch me."

A visibly uncomfortable Gough can then be seen attempting to continue with her broadcast, but she is swamped by celebrating fans.

"Please don't touch my equipment. Please don't," she tells them.

Gough can then be heard asking somebody off-camera: "How long do I have?"

"How long do I have? I've gotta move... Okay, I can hear you, but I'm moving," she adds.

After posting the footage to Twitter on Sunday, it has since amassed over 960,000 views. Many of Twitter users who flooded Gough with praise for how she handled the situation.

"I nearly had a panic attack watching this. If a male reporter were standing in the same place, those men would have given him space while they drunk-yelled at the camera. Unacceptable," one person responded.

Podcast host Kimberley Johnson added: "Terrible behavior from men thinking they have the right to touch strange women and invade their space. There is no justification, so I will not blame the reporter."

Fellow reporter Zoie Henry tweeted: "I don’t understand why people think because they see a camera set up they can act irrationally. This is our job, no one comes to your job invading your space or acting crazy thinking it’s funny."

And fellow sports reporter Brett Alper replied: "I couldn’t finish watching this because it made me uncomfortable. I’m so sorry Lyndsey. Do better people, my god."

Featured image credit: Cal Sport Media / Alamy