Did Young let Mantz Win?

The finish was disgusting. Unsportsmanlike and unprofessional. The only thing worse would be if they had finished holding hands in an attempt to tie. Don't many high school and college leagues disqualify for this type of nonsense?

I think Young and Mantz have a bigger race in mind. For them, I think this was pure, unadulterated joy -- to know they would go 1-2 and to the Olympic Games. This was not showboating but a window into a happy moment of two training partners delivering on the biggest US stage against brilliant competitors.

If you can, watch Young's interview afterward. What a breath of fresh air -- someone who thinks of the community of running before himself. It was beautiful and kind and so, so considerate.

The man encapsulates all that I wish I could be.

I sure hope it was that-otherwise it was a total d.b. move to sprint in like that the last 22 meters.

Wonder what Asics thinks about this whole situation, can't imagine them being pleased... I'd guess the PR of being able to claim of sponsoring Olympic Trials champ is worth a lot more than the difference in bonus they'd have to pay for 1st vs 2nd.

The real winner is the greedy and corrupt Mormon church that get 10% of the bonuses

It's interesting that they're both Mormon.

That’s either with teammates (here different sponsors) or when there are other dynamics (GC rider with a one-day-raider and they need each other). If they had the same sponsors I’d have no quibble with it. But ASICS pays Young to try and win.

Looked like Young’s only goal was to make the team and once he was in the clear he didn’t feel like pushing harder to battle Mantz for the win. Especially when it could potentially result in him blowing up and losing his spot.

This.

This.

Reminded me of Amy Cragg and Shalane in LA. But with them, Cragg eventually took off after helping Shalane for a long while. But I actually don't believe at all that they discussed this beforehand. Good of Clayton for doing what he did, but if I were Mantz I would have insisted he take the glory. I mean come on, the whole world knows that Clayton was the real winner and he allowed Conner to break the tape ahead of him. But then again, I don't think Mantz was even capable of thinking straight, he was in the the well about as deep as you could go.

It was the smart thing to do given the circumstances. That said, I did not find it entertaining- I prefer watching hard-fought racing for the win. Of course, they have no obligation to entertain me. Great job to them and best of luck in Paris.

If two guys who train together can get on the Olympic marathon team without beating the crap out of each other over the last two miles, they both win.
If you've ever run an all-out balls-to-the-wall marathon, you know this.

There is a good argument too, for going ahead and bashing it out, but total respect to Mantz and Young regardless.

I was surprised bc in the Letsrun podcast he said he'd of course feel competitive if it were the two of them gunning for the finish line, but maybe he meant if it were a fight for the second and last guaranteed spot.

I forgive him for ruining my picks (I had him first cause he seemed fresher, not leaving it all in a workout and he welcomes the heat) because he thanked Zach Panning at the end. To those who thought the two just sat on Panning, at some point rojo in the press cart said Mantz at least had motioned for him to tuck in behind them.

check out heatherunz IG story- Young is leading then veers way off to high five the crowd with 600m to go, definitely planned...

...

Okay we won't go on how they look but let's go by WHAT THEY SAID POST RACE:

Connor: "I didn't know with about 2 miles to go if I could finish the race and thought Clayton would take off but he didn't and he said, "just run behind me,"

So ABSOLUTELY Young let Connor WIN like someone said earlier, WHY? By Connor's own admission he was struggling to keep up with Young and Young had to slow down for 2 miles to ensure Mantz finished.

Great team spirit BUT WHY NOT WIN its the Olympic Trials held only once every 4 years.

This post got a ton of downvotes for this, but it seems pretty valid. I was watching this morning and thought it was super classy what Young did, also wondered if they were planning to do this and split the winnings if the opportunity arose.

However, there is an “honest effort” rule enforced in most sports. If someone clearly doesn’t make an honest effort to go for the victory in running, how is it different than not really trying in another sport?

Yeah Mantz did not know what was going on at that point. Clayton was talking to him and gesturing to him several times in the last half mile and Mantz just looked too dazed to respond to it.

They did this at another race. I think it was a US road championship or something. I thought something was odd at the finish line. But your explanation makes perfect sense. Nike must be offering Mantz a big bonus that can be better sharedd.