VIDEO: Runner Loses His Race After Accidentally Celebrating A Lap Early
Source – He crossed the line ahead of the pack and celebrated in front of the spectators… but little did Hagos Gebrhiwet know that he still had another 400metres to run.
The Ethiopian thought he claimed Diamond League glory on Friday in the 5,000m race in Lausanne on Friday.
Approaching the start-finish line, Gebrhiwet powered through thinking he had won the event.
With his focus clearly elsewhere, the 25-year-old eased up as he crossed the start-finish line and began veering off the inside lane towards the outskirts of the track. As he raised his arms in triumph to the Switzerland crowd – it wasn’t until seven seconds had elapsed before he realised his grave mistake.
At this point it was too little, too late as his countryman Yomif Kejelcha had flown past him to take the lead around the penultimate bend of the track.
Gebrhiwet rejoined the race in second but had lost the momentum and was unable to catch Kejelecha, the world indoor mile record holder, who raced to victory in 13:00.56.
I don’t know if there was money on the line or what, but if I were him I would’ve Forrest Gump’d myself directly out of the stadium.
If you ain’t first, you’re last. If he left at least he could’ve blamed it on the runs. The fist pump would’ve been tough to explain, but still. Finishing tenth after being in first place due to a mental error is flat out embarrassing. If Shaqtinafool covered running he’d be on the front page. Poor guy’s never going to live it down unless he starts dominating in the sport. Unless he starts running faster than Usain Bolt or that college kid out of Texas, he’ll always be known as the idiot who celebrated a lap early and lost the whole thing. Sad. I’ve still got buddies who shit on me for shooting on the wrong hoop in an 8th grade rec game. People don’t forget.
Speaking of Shaqtinafool, I was creeping on their Instagram page today and forgot how hilarious it is. Here’s a bunch of videos. Enjoy.