A Runner Almost Gets Disqualified But He Was Not Going To Let His Buddy Fall and Not Finish

 

ARY BROCKMAN – USA TODAY NETWORK

Runner Ben Boardley from Penn High School in Mishawaka, Indiana, is getting a lot of attention following his finish in the Indiana State High School Cross-Country Meet on October 31.

But it’s not for his race finish. Instead, it’s for an act of sportsmanship that almost got him disqualified.

Boardley told Runner’s World he saw another runner, Faizan Khan from Brebeuf Jesuit High School, stumble and fall down about 30 meters out from the finish, so he immediately helped him back to his feet. 

“I didn’t even need to think about it. I saw someone struggling and it was kind of an instinct to give him a lift,” Boardley said.

After crossing the finish, he found out helping out a fellow runner could’ve gotten him disqualified.

“An official came up to my coach and told him that I was almost disqualified, but they decided to let it be because it was a good show of sportsmanship,” Boardley said. “My coach actually told me afterwards that he was happy he never told our team about the rule because he believes helping others can be more important than winning in situations like that.” 

The official reviewed the video and decided Boardley would not be disqualified, as neither team would gain an advantage from what happened. Boardley was the sixth runner on his team and the Brebeuf runner was their seventh, (only the top five runners score in a cross-country meet) Boardley’s coach Thomas Miller told Runner’s World.

“The official told me that they had reviewed the video and had decided that Ben would not be disqualified. Ben was not disqualified because it was determined that neither team gained an advantage in the team scores as a result of what transpired,” Miller said.

Boardley, who finished in 189th place, said he was having a rough race and struggling with cramps and side stitches, so it wasn’t the race he was hoping for. So when he saw someone struggling more than he was in the finish stretch, he felt it was his duty to help. 

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“There is always someone struggling more than you are and it’s important to help them when you get the chance,” Boardley said. “I never expected this much publicity from sportsmanship. I don’t even love the attention. I didn’t even help Faizan for the attention.”

Khan, who finished 193rd, reached out to Boardley on Instagram and he thanked him for trying to help, and Boardley congratulated him on his team’s third-place finish. He said making contact with Khan meant more to me than all of the media attention he’s been getting.

“The official also commented that Ben displayed a tremendous act of sportsmanship. It did not surprise me that Ben stopped to assist the other runner. Ben is a very conscientious, kind, and considerate person,” Miller said. “I’m glad his natural instinct was to help someone who was struggling. I am very proud of Ben and his decision to do the right thing.”

 

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