Relay team breaks record after collision with race official

Collegiate runners from the University of Montevallo in Alabama set a school record in the 4 x 200m relay at a race in Birmingham in January, but they took an interesting path into the history books. Moments after sophomore runner Amari Lewis took the baton to start his leg of the race, he collided with an official who was making his way across the track. Fortunately, the accident didn’t slow Lewis down too much, and he was soon back on his feet and charging around the track as if nothing had happened.

Lewis was third in line on his team, and when he got the hand-off to start his leg of the race, his team already had a healthy lead over the rest of the field. The official was ambling across the track at the first turn, and although Lewis couldn’t avoid him completely, he did manage to dodge what could have been a much worse collision for both men.

As seen in video footage of the race, Lewis clips the official, who falls down. Lewis was able to stay on his feet, and after a couple of strides to regain his composure, he was back in action. Despite the hiccup, Lewis carried his team’s lead to the line as he handed the baton off for the anchor leg. He and his teammates ultimately clocked a 1:32.89 to take the win and set the new University of Montevallo school record.

There’s no word on whether the official involved in the incident is OK. Fortunately, the athletes trailing Lewis didn’t run into or trip over the man, and by the time the bell lap came around, the track was clear, so odds are the only thing that was bruised was the official’s ego. 

posted Sunday February 5th
by Running Magazine