6 Teams Finish Less Than 1 Second Apart! | Penn Relays 4xMile Championship of America [FULL RACE]

[@sharonb537]

Love how the announcer cant contain his disdain for the "lazy running"..

[@domruns9472]

Me too.

[@ejcandrin]

Of the top 8 teams, Villanova's anchor has the slowest PR by a good two seconds.

[@nohands6865]

Liam Murphy is a 3:55 miler.. the other guys are all around that, some might be quicker but he's been looking the sharpest this season

[@johnhuth4446]

Maybe they know something we don't know, but the 4xMile is like this every year at Penn. Sadly, the second leg gave me hope that they might duck under 16:00. At least the announcers made it sound like a *mild* surprise.

[@dennisnelson8564]

Can you imagine if the 4x400 was run this way, where the last leg jogged the first 200.

[@gregoryluna535]

DMR was run similarly. Seems a bit strange for the lead teams to make it a kicker’s race. But if you have a kicker it works.

[@riverwood_creations]

Race starts at 18:37 😐

[@MrDjbuckethead]

😂😂😂

[@narutoqweavatar]

Exactly.

[@victorlikescosmicbrownies]

so real

[@jupeter24]

😂it does

[@jkf9167]

I have no idea why the faster runners ever submit to running a tactical race, especially in the relay. Why let everyone else back in the game?

[@jedielnunes1328]

agree. the better runners play right into the weaker teams hands

[@randomtactician6290]

Because the faster runners are often running multiple races at the same meet, so they can’t be too tired, so the fast runners want to win it on a kick (read- slow) as well at big meets like this. The faster guys are probably going to win even if it goes out slow, so it doesn’t really matter for them anyway. Also, idk who you are but I’m pretty sure that 4*Mile teams who qualify to race at Penn Relays know a hell of a lot more about racing than you do.

[@doubleagaming554]

Because the "faster" runners have PR's that are only about 2-3 seconds faster than the "slower" runners so they're hardly faster. If they try and lead the whole thing they will get outkicked because leading is A LOT harder than sitting back in the pack. Basically every winner of the Penn Relays in the 4xmile and DMR don't lead for a step until the last 80 meters. If anyone in that top pack at the handoff tried to lead the whole last leg and run away from everyone I guarantee they would not have won. Look what happened to Schoppe in the DMR.

[@jkf9167]

@@doubleagaming554 do these same laws of gravity apply to women? Women's relays tend to retract into these packs less often, and there are fewer slow tactical races on the Women's side, although one of the 1500 championships last year was tactical.

[@doubleagaming554]

@@jkf9167 There's generally a larger gap between the top few runners in the women's races and the rest of the field so the detriment of leading the race the whole time isn't bigger than the difference in their abilities. Therefore they'll actually be able to run away from them. That's at least my interpretation of it

[@randomtactician6290]

Everyone in this comment section crying about a slow race is stupid. This is Penn Relays. They’re not going there to run a fast time, because this isn’t a time trial; it’s a race. Go cry about it to them, tell some of the most elite distance programs in the United States that they’ve got it all wrong and you have the secret to being good distance runners, I’m sure they’d love to hear it.

[@mike990]

It's not about being a "good distance runner" we all know they are. It's about not running with heart, grit, determination, or making your opposition work for glory. Absolutely stupid tactics displayed in this race.

[@jkf9167]

Why even have a relay if everyone is going to fall back into the pack after the third leg? You might as well run an individual 1500. It's one thing to conserve your own energy, it's another thing to squander someone else's by deciding that the lead they gave you isn't worth keeping. I also can't help noticing that in the women's races, which are usually run less strategically, the winner almost always comes from one of the top two or three favorites. On the men's side it can be anyone's race.

[@randomtactician6290]

@@jkf9167 A relay is just like any other race, the only difference is that four different runners are running it, so it is much faster than one person running the total relay distance. This means that the points scored are just as important and unimportant as in and other race. If a team is against tactical races and wants to go out fast, then that is something they should discuss. Everyone in this field knew that the race could’ve been tactical, so if they really wanted to run fast, they should’ve discussed that beforehand.

[@randomtactician6290]

@@mike990 it doesn’t matter. These guys are all trying to go pro, so they need wins. Displaying good racing tactics and the ability to be patient can be good if you want to get the win. I guarantee every collegiate team in the US would much rather win the Penn Relays with an extremely slow time (which for these guys, that’d probably be 17:20-ish+) than get second place with an extremely fast time (which in this example would probably be sub-16:00). Running fast times at the top collegiate level is nice, but wins are even better.

[@jdoughawk]

"They are jogging." Facts

[@timroden6617]

Would have loved to have seen NAU, Ark, FL But that was a strategic race. Don't think I have seen that happen.

[@lorenzargymagnaye]

LMAO these commentators were PISSED that they didn’t run sub 16. I mean I completely understand on being disappointed that the 4th legs slowed it down. But you don’t need to whine the whole time lol. It’s pretty unprofessional.

[@traderstatusquo]

Great commentating. For the folks in the comments saying otherwise, then you must not see all the HYPE, and pre-meet press that Flotrack and other outlets flood us with. Maybe if the press stopped hyping up these meets, we’d be okay with a jog fest. Don’t tell us these kids got talent, then we see them jogging 65 second laps (anchor leg), when they are capable of going sun 60. Commentator was EXCELLENT! Piss poor performance for the anchor legs. Great job first three ish legs!

[@daltontkalbaugh6649]

Totally agree. You hate to see it for the guys that ran the first 3 legs who were laying it all out there, just for it to pack right back up in 100m. A few seconds lead is pretty big when you’re talking sub 4 pace and these anchors just throw it away.

[@TheRealBrayoTv]

Well put

[@nohands6865]

@@daltontkalbaugh6649 would you rather have one guy lead 3 1/2 laps just to throw away his chance at winning? No one in that field is that much better than the rest so they could never run it wire to wire. Look what happened in the DMR with Schoppe who is a 3:55 miler and 3:37 1500 guy, he lead for most of it and got absolutely crushed in the last 250m.

[@anibaljrbalt]

I'm not a fan of a kicker's race. But this is Penn and the Wheel is the greatest prize ever in T&F.

[@andrearatkovic4048]

Villanova schooling these guys.😄. Love it! Maybe someday these guys in the lead will hurt enough to race the whole way and STAY in the lead.🤷‍♀️

[@andrearatkovic4048]

@@MrDjbuckethead Same thing happened in the DMR. Lead group slightly separated on last leg but slowed allowing eventual winner to come from guys who caught up during the ‘jog.’. Serves em right. All these guys must thing they can put sprint everyone.😆. Don’t know why lead group wouldn’t try to keep themselves separated for a better chance at winning.🤷‍♀️. And kudos to the guys who DO win coming from all the way around the pack!

[@nohands6865]

these comments show that no one here has raced at a very high level. When you have 5+ guys who are all on the same level, whoever leads is quite literally forfeiting the chance to win. Last year we had a 3:37 1500 guy take the lead on the last leg of the 4xmile and he got sat on and passed by 3:38 guys. Leading is taxing and you should only do it when you are a class above the field.

[@king-qi2ks]

These things piss me off 🤦🏽‍♂️ Why are they running so slow! The commentators were right, these guys can run sub 16! BUT NOO, they don’t WANT TO TRY WTF?!!!

[@christiandevaal2829]

its championship racing buddy

[@jedielnunes1328]

commentators are completely right here. hate to see the comments disagreeing

[@TheRealBrayoTv]

Excellent commentary. This makes one appreciate how guys like Rudisha used to run from the front, push the pace to the end. We need to stop making excuses for guys being scared to push, you are either mentally strong enough or.ur not cut for tough man's work. Heck I even, Wesley Kiptoo used to push the pace real f quick and guys that can compete would just sit back on some bs.

[@micahlogie2271]

As much as it would be cool to see a sub 16 4xmile. These guys are going to penn to race not to run a time. If they wanted to do that they’d go to California. Penn relays always displays exciting, entertaining races. Nothing better than a slow kickers mile.

[@johnwilson5743]

Absolutely spot on. Yes, this is a "Race" not a time trial with organised pacemakers. Anything can happen in a race. If the fast guys go to the front and push the pace, the others will just sit on them, then pass towards the finish.

[@jkf9167]

@@johnwilson5743 at the same time, a tactical race disadvantages the fastest teams. Hypothetically, if a couple of runners can run a mile in 3:50 and everyone else can run 4:10, why would the 3:50 runners put themselves in a position where anyone can win, rather than a position where only two runners in the field are likely to be able to win.

[@johnwilson5743]

@@jkf9167 Hi Josh. There was nothing to stop those two runners from going to the front and running the others off their feet! So, why didn't they? But if those two runners had already run 3 or 4 races and were too tired to "max out" their performance and so held back... well, that's what often happens. A crazy sprint finish at the end.

[@jkf9167]

@@johnwilson5743 it's not always a matter of tired legs. The most notorious example is the 2016 Olympic men's 1,500, in which more than 200 runners team faster that goat than the Olympic winning time. There had to be at least one runner in that field who should have known that a kicker's race would favor someone else.

[@randomtactician6290]

@@jkf9167 even in a tactical race, the fast guys will generally win anyway. Let’s say you have one runner with a season record of 4:00, and another runner with a season record of 4:15. Let’s also assume they’re in the same race, but it’s tactical, and they pass the 800 in 2:10. For the 4:00 guy, this is no problem- 2:10 is probably just barely faster than 5k pace for him, or maybe even slower than 5k pace, but for the guy who- even on his best day- only can go through in 2:07, he’s on the line at 2:10, and there’s no chance in hell he’s going to be able to close in 2:05 and run his pr, but the 4:00 miler can easily close the last 800 in 2:05 after running 2:10. Hell, he could probably close in 1:53-1:55. Therefore, the 4:00 guy runs 4:03-4:05, and the 4:15 guy runs 4:20 at the absolute fastest (I say 4:20 because it’s going to be really hard to negative split a fast race). So, as we can see, even under slow conditions, the fast runner wins regardless. So, in a tactical race, the slow runners get the benefit of being competitive in the early stages, and the fast runners get the benefit of not having to work as hard, meaning they can save the harder efforts for later in the season.

[@matthewsilveira5862]

Please post the women's 4x1500!!

[@DanielBeyeler]

Why do they cry about a "slow" pace? It is a race! And tactics are part of a race. It was super-exciting.

[@hichelo4365]

Blud was butthurt about that sub 16 4xmile

[@johnwilson5743]

This was a great RACE. With so many of approx the same time ability, who ever goes to the front to "push" the pace will be swamped on the last lap of their leg. Sadly, US College athletes have been molly coddled in their racing with the constant use of pacemakers. When they hit "Open" races with International athletes, they don't know how to actually race. This is no reflection on their wonderful ability as athletes but is often the reason why few US runners achieve top status in middle distance running. They don't learn how to race! Relay races, like 4x1 mile, do not have pacemakers. Meaning someone has to sacrifice themselves, go to the front, push the pace, then (normally) get swamped in the closing stages. If they are wanting a fast time. ie Their team suffers and the other teams prosper. Oh, if you listened carefully, you will have heard the announcer say that most of these runners already had a couple of races in their legs. That fact alone stops them from "front running". General tiredness. Imagine if your relay team consisted of runners who had not already thrashed their bodies in earlier races! This is a big issue as to why US College system "burns out" middle/long distance runners. Being made to race sometimes up to 4 races at a Meet, simply for Points towards College competitions. The College system doesn't care about the future of runners: they flog them for all they can get. Most middle distance runners do not hit their peak until late 20's/early 30's. Long after the College system has spat them out. (Generally 18-25) Yes, I was an International runner, competing in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, USA and England. So I'm not just spouting garbage.

[@teecoker93]

I’m

[@mike990]

Lack of some big brass balls stopped them from front running. Go watch Craig Mottram race sometime before you post farcical takes like this.

[@birdbro1990]

King slayer.

[@MrDjbuckethead]

Watch the boys 4x800 and you'll see what racing is supposed to look like you stuck in second gear carage horses.

[@johnhuth4446]

That was an amazing race (4x8).

[@jonathanv9587]

4x800 is a ton of fun. I wish it was a regular NCAA event (along with the 4x100 & 4x400).

[@hcoxrr]

Agreed, what a great race!

[@Sal_lazaro]

what a joke man smh bogus might as well have a 400 runner anchor

[@RocketSauce666]

Like everyone, I don't understand the tactics if you are in the lead pack, but I guess they all thought they could win in the kick. I really feel bad for the first 3 legs. Those guys went hard running right around 4 min miles just so their 4th leg could jog 3 laps and then ratchet down a final 400.

[@mason7642]

this announcer is so annoying. Do you really think everyone is in tip top shape to run 3:50 like cmon championship season isn't for long time.

[@hcoxrr]

Washington has had 5 guys break 3:41 in the 15 in the last 4 weeks and Pac 12's is in two weeks 🤷‍♂

[@JamesPerkins-g5s]

Love this race. Wish it was run more often. Bad racing tactics.

[@daegudiva]

What a shame, what could have been. The field had sub 16 in sight and it turned into a one lap run off. Still, Congrats Nova!

[@tsmith9063]

Beat up? You really are trying it like someone got into a fight I see why you don't have subscribers

[@TheodoreBrinkofski]

that was some of the worst commentating I've ever seen. I'll never give a penny to flotrack

[@jedielnunes1328]

what a bummer on the last 2 legs of the race. guys don't want to suffer

[@triathlontimmy]

Agree. They fly across the country to represent their university, on scholarship (presumably) and then go on to run 65 second laps. I wouldn't be able to sleep living like that.

[@jdoveyk9422]

Pretty lame for them to just coast it to battle it out on the kick. Makes you realize that some want to work hard and PR every time and some just want to win in the last 30 secs.

[@kcubillas]

The Washington coach should be fired. And his runners should hang their heads in shame. What an embarrassment.

[@brettwasick253]

That was the worst commentating I have ever heard. Absolutely disrespectful to all these guys just for trying to give themselves the best chance to win the race.

[@fieldofsleepcows]

this is really annoying commentary. tactical racing is common. a commentator should know how to explain it and make it engaging for fans. why should any one team sacrifice their chances for success to set a hard pace for other teams? it's not fun to watch a video where the athletes are insulted. I understand that there was a narrative being built by flotrack going into this race but it's not like the athletes or coaches owe anything to that narrative.

[@ryanquenemoen7073]

Wow these commentators were disappointing. Stop whining about how the race isn’t what you want, it’s immature and annoying. Make one comment about it and move on. The ending of this race was so exciting! But the constant complaints from the commentators sitting under cover from the rain ridiculing the “lazy” runners “running as slow as they could” was unbelievable and ruined the whole viewing experience. While I wanted to just watch some incredible athletes race, I was completely occupied with frustration over these commentators. Congratulations Villanova

[@jedielnunes1328]

commentator is on the audiences side. no one wants to watch a tactical 17 minute race. most of the people watching are neutrals wanting to watch fast guys runs fast. still an exciting finish nonetheless but disappointing race when the last 2 legs jog

[@Teoji7]

can he shut up and let them race. like bro

[@billyulrich578]

Brutal commentary as usual. Better off muting. Tactical racing is a great part of the sport and on great display here.

[@zk4761]

Usually but Washington can run 16 in a time trial. Women go after it but the men just chill on the final leg. Ches was one of the worst races I've ever seen. It is hard to believe a squad as talented as Washington didn't win by a good margin.

[@billyulrich578]

@@zk4761 I don’t think U Dub had the legs today to get on the front and time trial just based off their closes. I think if they had the legs they would have done it. Ed Ches making the entire field walk is prime entertainment. He had no incentive to rip on the front after blowing the field away in the last 200 of the DMR the day prior.

[@MrDjbuckethead]

You're joking right? What's tactical about allowing a guy that had no possible chance of winning, catch up to win the race?

[@narutoqweavatar]

Racing like that is chickenshit

[@billyulrich578]

@@MrDjbucketheadI mean you’re wrong dude. The Villanova kid is a 3:39/3:55/7:45 guy. You can’t tell me he doesn’t have the credentials to be there.

[@seanh9093]

The announcers were absolutely terrible. That was brutal to listen to. You’re better off watching on mute.

[@reallymysterious4520]

I agree. But also these guys collectively on the track had NO BALLS and there was no passion in this race at all - no guts - MOST BORING RELAY RACE I HAVE EVER SEEN

[@jedielnunes1328]

L comment. I liked the commentators because they were on the audiences side

[@carrollmoseley3572]

Washington sucks, didnt have the guts to go for it. Stupid racing!

[@infovidasupps8640]

Wow the announcer is usually great But not in this video. Disappointed in him He has zero idea what their coaches told them To say they should have saved the airfare is so very disrespectful to these fine young men who have put in so much work

[@reallymysterious4520]

These guys collectively on the track had NO BALLS and there was no passion in this race at all - no guts - MOST BORING RELAY RACE I HAVE EVER SEEN

[@leroirobinson-grant5885]

Smh

[@savell234]

The only embarrassing thing about that race was the commentators.

[@Chris-kp1fx]

Bruh they never keep races honest shits annoying. Don’t get me wrong i get winning is more important but you can’t have all that hype around you to just not do it and then have a lame kick

[@Code_Ramen717]

Sad

[@josephoneil3093]

Why do they close off the first three lanes with that curb?

[@hcoxrr]

Franklin Field is a bit unique, the track is 400m from Lane 4. Inside lanes are a bit shorter.

[@mikephalen3162]

Why are there so many teams competing at the same time? Gotta be a better way to do some of these events.

[@Hhhhhsgaga]

This is the worst song over ever heard

[@Genebaket]

Absolute travesty they’re not give her the very best. Close to race down show the way to the boys locker room. Perhaps these aren’t real men running

[@anibaljrbalt]

Clearly all those teams don't know the history of Penn. If Villanova is in the race they have the magical X factor in the spirit of Jumbo Elliott. 👻🤍