Many in the community eagerly anticipated the 2025 track and field season. Indeed, following the successful Paris Olympics in 2024, the fans are anticipating a campaign with a similar level of action. Multiple indoor events fill the early part of the season. But one particular outdoor event is sure to capture the attention of many fans.

Indeed, the 2025 Aramco Houston Half Marathon featured a nail-biting race in the men’s event, and even a home hero secured a new American record; they placed second in a controversial way. After watching this, when it became viral on the internet, many social media users wanted nothing but justice for the American runner who brought glory to the nation.

Intense racing action by the two runners

Track and field has one winner, and the Houston Half Marathon crowd saw that. The whole event contained some big names who have competed in major events like the Olympic Games, and the anticipation was touching the sky. Indeed, going to the final parts of the half marathon, the United States’ Conner Mantz and Ethiopia’s Addisu Gobena were fighting on the track toe-to-toe.

Let’s look back to the final 3 kilometers of the event. Not only Mantz and Gobena, but Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay joined this track bout. The three runners engaged in a heated battle, and it went down to the final meters of the half marathon. However, during those times, the spotlight was completely on Mantz and Gobena. The two were side by side in the event, and no one was letting the other pass them. Gobena slid to the side of Mantz. And this can be seen in the video provided by RunnersSpace on X, and it raised a lot of doubts.

They both crossed the finish line at 59:17, separated by a mere fraction of a second. However, in this process, Mantz broke a long-standing 18-year-old American record. The record was set by Ryan Hall back in 2007, which was 59:43. And what about the rest of the podium? Gabriel Geay finished in third place with a time of 59:18. The difference was enormous between the old and the record. But despite all that effort, he came in second in the event, allowing fans to call for justice for the American runner.

Track and field fans weren’t happy with the results

If someone has tuned in to the final few minutes of the event, they must have watched how close the two competitors were. But a certain action by the Ethiopian athlete triggered many, as one fan stated, “Other runner should be disqualified for his actions at the finish.” Similarly, another fan wrote, “Officially 2nd, but Mantz should be awarded first. The initiation of contact by Gobena is atrocious there. Especially with how short that tape is. Mantz was as far over as he could be, and Gobena still impeded him. Ridiculous.”

Any time Conner Mantz has run in an event, it has been not only about his performance on the track. But it was also about his sportsmanship. Indeed, the American has consistently asserted his faith and prioritized it over his interests and those of others. Along the way, he has forged numerous relationships, such as one with Clayton Young, where they regard each other as brothers, despite their lack of familial ties. Their faith bonds them together, and it does show up on track many times.

However, the way the Ethiopian runner took the victory disgusted many fans in the community, as one comment read, “Nice try by Addisu to cut him off at the finish…oh wait, he did.”Another fan questioned the actions of Gobena, stating, “Awesome race!! Addisu leaning or maybe blocking Mantz at the end, is that legal?” Putting all fingers in his direction, this fan stated, “Addisu cut Connor off.”

The track and field community is dissatisfied with the race’s conclusion. However, the entire 2025 Aramco Houston Marathon was an exhilarating spectacle. Each moment highlighted the challenging nature of long-distance running. And it showed the need to balance pace management with running strategy and technique.