Runner loses race after premature celebration

A middle-distance runner in America has gone from hero to zero in the space of 10 seconds after costing himself victory with a premature celebration.

Tanguy Pepiot had dominated a steeplechase event for the University of Oregon and after entering the final straight with a lead of 20 metres, decided to take his foot off the gas and instead wave to the crowd, urging them to cheer louder.Unbeknown to Pepiot, the resulting roar turned out to be a warning rather than adulation as the University of Washington's Meron Simon caught him by surprise in a sprint to the line and snatched a last-second win."I heard some noise," Pepiot told the Eugene Register-Guard."I was very surprised. Then I checked the screen, and I was like, 'Whoa, somebody's coming!'" Vision of Pepiot's blunder is now going viral and shows the runner sprawled out on the track afterwards with one hand over his eyes, perhaps hoping for a place to hide."I think it was the first time it happened to me," Pepiot said."I'll make sure it's the last time."