tanguy pepiot , a steeplechase runner for the university of oregon , had a clear lead on his rival meron simon , who competes for the university of washington .
but at a track meet saturday in eugene , oregon , a crowd of more than 3,000 people saw the distance evaporate after pepiot raised his hands in pre-emptive joy , with less than 100m to go .
vanishing lead : tanguy pepiot , a runner for the university of oregon , is pictured left celebrating his victory - right after he has lost it all to the university of washington 's meron simon that