A 17-year-old Morgan saddlehorse and a fast-stepping harness pacer beat the notorious sprinter in a widely-publicised charity race last night.

``If the public accepts me and loves me and wants me to come back. We are all human beings, we all make mistakes and everybody forgives and we go on with life.''

The charity race attracted attention far and wide and, for the most part, it was good-natured.

Both Johnson and his agent, Morris Chrobotek, rejected suggestions he was turning his past glory and infamy into a sideshow.

At least 5,000 spectators jammed the Grandstand at Charlottetown driving park to watch the competition between man, beast and machine. The event raised more than $<\!q>7,000 for the children's wish foundation, which helps sick kids.

Johnson was an early favourite to beat the horses and the car and he led briefly. But he was quickly passed by the horse ina race that had staggered distances.

Johnson ran 80 metres, the pacer 100, the Morgan 120 and the car 140.

The crowd went wild as Johnson flashed across the finish line, respectably close to the steeds.

The Morgan saddlehorse, a workhorse that had never before been raced, was ridden by veteran jockey Lloyd Duffy of Charlottetown.

Duffy said before the race he didn't think he'd be able to beat Johnson.

The Morgan, named Windsong, looked nervous as he pranced on to the track. Windsong's owner, Yogi fell, spent days trying to get animal used to the loud noises of the track, but he looked spooked as cameras flashed and speakers blared.

Johnson, who said he still hopes to fulfill his ``destiny'' as the fastest man in the world, said he will consider more fund-raising races.

However, Chrobotek said that doesn't mean Johnson will submit to the ridiculous. He said he recently turned down a request from a US television network to have Johnson race a Cheetah.