Oregon runner Tanguy Pepiot loses race on premature celebration (Video)

Oregon cross country runner Tanguy Pepiot was just steps away from winning the steeplechase event at the Pepsi Team Invite over the weekend, but he was overtaken by Washington’s Meron Simon as the two approached the finish line. The problem is Simon was not the faster runner — Pepiot simply let his guard down.

Since he was running in front of his home fans in Eugene, Pepiot decided he would pump up the crowd a bit as the race was coming to a close. He slowed his stride and waved his hands in the air, only to watch Simon blow by him on the right. Pepiot, a senior, was in disbelief.

We’ve all heard the old cliche “it ain’t over until its over.” Pepiot understands that phrase more now than he ever has, and he’s not the first runner to screw up a race because he celebrated prematurely. Just save it for after the finish line, guys.

H/T The Big Lead