Ben Blankenship - CLASSIEST SPORTSMANSHIP MOVE EVER? - video of 2015 USATF Championship Mile

I saw that but I couldn't quite believe it, really unusual and awesome if in fact it was that, considering they aren't even in the same training group.

Dang I didn't catch it first time around - he even looks back as if to say "okay buddy, I'm going wide to let you through too."

its at 2:35-2:40 in the race, 3:05ish in the video

i'm surprised, definitely missed that earlier. even looks like centro touched ben's back to say thanks or something

A Duck wrote:

He easily could have hesitated or thrown a hand and shoved Centro back into the box, instead he said "come on, let's go!"

If he had, he might have WON. Too bad he didn't.

I like it, but it could be interpreted as cocky too. If only every race had a cocky/classy like that!

Apophenia.Blankenship is in 7th place Centrowitz is 6th, Manzano is in 8th. Manzano makes his move to the front, Blankenship covers his move in Manzano's wake, Centrowitz is freed from the box and follows in the vacuum. Yet, you see the "CLASSIEST SPORTSMANSHIP MOVE EVER?" Really?

A Duck wrote:

showing he's a man's man, and a class act, and a true brother in the brotherhood of men's running.

There are Justin Bieber fans more rational than you.

Sorry, but I thought that the idea of racing - especially championship racing - was to win the damn race!

Blankenship,s move looked to me like the actions of a man who has no real confidence in his ability to win the race but merely wanted to place well. If he was concerned about the slow pace he could have got to the front earlier and pushed it on!

Looked to me like Centro gave him the old veteran subtle hip push to get past him on the inside. Much more effective then an elbow. I think the look back was more of a 'WTF just happened' look. Tactics are part the race, to me swinging wide to let someone out of a box is just like slowing down to let someone back into the race. Would a basketball team stop playing defence in the fourth quarter just so that the other team could have a chance to win?

This is competition. That was not classy at all. You don't allow competitors out of a box in a championship race. In fact, I don't think that is what happened. If he truly let centro out on purpose I would only say that it was a move that lacked intelligence.

"I'm from f'ing Minnesota. Haven't you f'ing heard of "Minnesota nice" and $hit?"

- Ben Blankenship

that was very subtle. It was probably not intentional. The hand gesture was after the fact. Blankenship is on the train though. He probably saw who was passing and said let's go. Confidence is a beast when you are in unbelievable shape.

I think you're over analyzing this.

I was expecting to Centro on the ground and Blankenship going back to pick up based in the title of this thread.

He just went a little extra wide and out his hand up in reaction to noticing Centro.

There were three laps left. Centro would have found a spot between then and the finish to move if he didn't get the space there.

why does every bed-wetting basement dweller's post have to be the most EVER, or the GREATEST OF ALL-TIME? Seriously, get some sense of perspective.

I don't see it as a classy move. It looks like Blakenship is making his move to the front and knew that when he moved up Centro was just going to follow him and sit on him. Blakenship looks like he is telling him to go so he can follow Centro and sit on him, but Centro didn't bite. Just my opinion.

malmo wrote:

Apophenia.

Blankenship is in 7th place Centrowitz is 6th, Manzano is in 8th. Manzano makes his move to the front, Blankenship covers his move in Manzano's wake, Centrowitz is freed from the box and follows in the vacuum. Yet, you see the "CLASSIEST SPORTSMANSHIP MOVE EVER?" Really?

A Duck wrote:

showing he's a man's man, and a class act, and a true brother in the brotherhood of men's running.

There are Justin Bieber fans more rational than you.

This ^

Come on folks, stop living in la la land!

Regardless of what actual intentions were, there is nothing sporting about intentionally letting someone out of a "box". Perhaps you don't know what sportsmanship is?

I watched the video and Malmo is right. BB moves out to cover the move very suddenly. He looks back because he caught a glimpse of someone moving up fast as well and made sure he didn't cut them off and collide with them.

Also, to say that this is the "CLASSIEST SPORTSMANSHIP MOVE EVER" is hyperbole. Try not to get so carried away, stuff like this makes a person sound like a middle-schooler with a fan crush.

Star wrote:

I think you're over analyzing this.

I was expecting to Centro on the ground and Blankenship going back to pick up based in the title of this thread.

He just went a little extra wide and out his hand up in reaction to noticing Centro.

There were three laps left. Centro would have found a spot between then and the finish to move if he didn't get the space there.

I agree. Maybe we should hire the OP as a troll to gin up clicks? The title certainly made me waste 2 minutes of my day.

Blankenship decided to make a move to the lead. He went a little extra wide to let Centro come with him instead of having to come directly behind him. Not a biggie. Far from the classiest act of sportsmanship ever.

End of thread.

rojo wrote:

Star wrote:

I think you're over analyzing this.

I was expecting to Centro on the ground and Blankenship going back to pick up based in the title of this thread.

He just went a little extra wide and out his hand up in reaction to noticing Centro.

There were three laps left. Centro would have found a spot between then and the finish to move if he didn't get the space there.

I agree. Maybe we should hire the OP as a troll to gin up clicks? The title certainly made me waste 2 minutes of my day.

Blankenship decided to make a move to the lead. He went a little extra wide to let Centro come with him instead of having to come directly behind him. Not a biggie. Far from the classiest act of sportsmanship ever.

End of thread.

Not even that. He just went as wide as he thought he needed to in order to avoid getting tripped up since he knew others were moving as well.

No sportsmanship whatsoever. No good sportsmanship. No bad sportsmanship. No nothing. Just racing.

Nothing to see here.