If you're going to slow down and raise your index finger as the first-place runner, you might want to wait until you actually win the race.
Ben Payne learned that the hard way Saturday running in the men's open division of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree 10K. Decked out in a red, white and blue outfit on July 4, Payne celebrated too early, allowing the charging British Olympian Scott Overall to catch up. Overall was eventually declared the winner by 9/100 of a second.
— 11Alive News (@11AliveNews) July 4, 2015
Payne, 33, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he didn't consciously slow down but the 32-year-old Overall, who ran the marathon at the 2012 Olympics, still offered a bit of advice.
Pleased to take the win today at the Peach tree 10km. Always run through the line! #Peachy pic.twitter.com/HBRozJKSvv
— Scott Overall (@scottoverall) July 4, 2015
In addition to embarrassment in what is billed as the world's largest 10K, Payne's premature posturing also cost him $500 in prize money. Overall won $2,000 as the men's open winner and Payne took home $1,500.
Maybe Payne should have watched this April race as a reminder of what can happen to a runner who revels in triumph before the actual victory.
H/T For The Win
Source: The Huffington Post
