The Day Matthew Centrowitz Outfoxed the World

On August 20, 2016, Matthew Centrowitz won Olympic gold in the men’s 1500m. Not with a blazing 3:30, not even a 3:40—but 3:50.00. The slowest winning time in more than 80 years. And yet, it was a masterpiece of tactics.

For perspective: since 1908—the last time an American man had won this race—Americans have put men on the moon, invented the internet, and broken the 4-minute mile barrier many times over. And still, Centrowitz stood alone atop the podium in Rio. 1908!!

Centrowitz had a lethal kick throughout his career, but it wasn’t all he had. Endurance? In spades. Tactical genius? Even more. His signature move was knowing exactly when to strike. In Rio, he controlled the pace from the front—painfully slow, by professional standards. The opening laps clocked around 66–67 seconds each, so leisurely that a back-of-the-pack D1 college runner could have stayed in the mix.

The mystery is why the rest of the field let him do it. Everyone trusted their kick, but obviously not everyone could have the best one. And Centro knew exactly whose was better. That field included reigning world champ Asbel Kiprop and savvy veteran Nick Willis—both dangerous if the pace got hot. By slowing it down, Centro neutered their biggest weapons.

He led nearly the entire race, only giving up the front for about ten seconds in total. Lap by lap, he gradually increased the tempo, saving his energy for the final 400 meters. When he struck, no one could match him—closing in roughly 50–51 seconds for the last lap and leaving the chasing pack behind. It was a masterclass in tactical racing.

The lessons are simple: know your own strengths, understand your opponents’ strengths, and craft a plan that puts you in the best position to win.

If I apply this to my own running, my top-end speed is currently stronger than my endurance. In a 5k this fall that I hope to win, my best strategy isn’t to lead early. It’s to sit on the leader, conserve energy, and unleash my kick in the final stretch.

You don’t have to be an Olympian—or even chasing a win—to use this. Whether you’re a 4-hour marathoner, a 10k beginner, or lining up for your first mile race, you have strengths you can play to. Long runs and tempos tell you a lot: Do you thrive when you lock into pace early? When you finish hard with a big negative split? When you tuck into a pack? Whatever it is, lean into it. Strategy isn’t just for the pros.

Since Rio, few major finals have dared to go that slow again. Centrowitz showed what was possible—but he also closed the door on anyone else pulling off the same trick. His gold medal wasn’t just a victory—it was a lesson in preparation, patience, and knowing exactly when to strike.