PORTLAND, Ore. - A bicyclist is lucky to be alive after he ended up underneath a MAX train in front of stunned Portland marathon runners who happened to be passing by.

The incident happened just before noon Sunday along TriMet's Yellow Line MAX at the North Greeley Avenue and North Interstate Avenue station. 

The area was part of the route for the Portland Marathon and runners were shaken by what they saw.

"Immediately when I saw him hit by the train, I was afraid I was looking at a fatality," said runner Susen Ritchey.  "It's just incredible that they were able to bring him out.  I just can't believe he's alive."

According to Peggy LaPoint with TriMet, a southbound MAX train was coming from the Overlook Station to Greeley when a male cyclist veered into the path of the train and went under the second car.  LaPoint said the signal system was working.

The man was conscious and breathing with no appearance of major trauma, but was taken to a local hospital.