U.S. Olympic marathoner Clayton Young targets American Record and sets his sights on history.
Appearing on a recent episode of the Nobody Asked Us podcast with co-hosts Des Linden and Kara Goucher, the 32-year-old Brooks athlete announced his intention to take a shot at the American marathon record at the 2026 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 11.
Young will be targeting the mark of 2:04:43, set on the exact same Chicago course by his longtime training partner, friend, and fellow Olympian, Conner Mantz.
A Record Attempt on Familiar Ground
The announcement sets up an electric narrative for the 2026 Chicago Marathon, returning Young to the site of his official personal record on a record-eligible course:
- Chicago Roots: Young last ran Chicago in 2023, crossing the finish line in 2:08:00 to place seventh—at the time earning him a top-10 spot on the all-time U.S. list.
- All-Conditions Speed: Earlier in 2026, Young clocked a blazingly fast 2:05:41 at the Boston Marathon. Because Boston’s point-to-point, net-downhill layout isn’t record-eligible, the performance sits as an all-conditions personal best, proving his fitness is primed for standard courses.
- The Target Pace: To break Mantz’s mark, Young will need to average under 4:45 per mile across the flat, fast 26.2-mile course through Chicago’s streets.
One of the Deepest Elite Lines in Race History
Young won’t be chasing the clock in a vacuum. Race organizers and media partner NBC 5 Chicago recently unveiled what is being touted as one of the deepest professional fields in Chicago Marathon history.
The 48th running features sub-2:01 marathoners, returning world champions, and a stacked domestic roster, making both the international and American podium battles fiercely competitive:
The Men’s Field: Six Sub-2:04 Runners
- Defending Champ & Heavy Favorite: Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo returns to defend his title. After winning Chicago in 2025 in 2:02:23, Kiplimo ran a blazingly fast 2:00:28 at the 2026 London Marathon—the third-fastest marathon time in human history.
- International Heavyweights: Every member of the 2025 men’s podium returns, led by Kenya’s Amos Kipruto (2:01:39 PB in London), 2024 Berlin champion Milkesa Mengesha, and back-to-back Tokyo champion Tadese Takele Bikila.
- The American Contingent: Beside Young, the domestic charge is led by rising star Charles Hicks (who ran 2:04:35 in Boston), marathon veteran Galen Rupp, and breakout runner Vincent Mauri (2:05:54).
The Women’s Field: Historic Stars & A Flat-Course Debut
- Defending Champion: Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa returns to defend her crown after winning by over two minutes last year.
- Heavyweight Challengers: Former world record holder and two-time Chicago winner Brigid Kosgei returns to the course for the first time since 2019, fresh off her Tokyo Marathon win. Joining her is Kenya’s Sharon Lokedi—a Boston and New York City Marathon champion making her Chicago debut to test her speed on a flat major for the first time.
- U.S. Leaders: The American women’s field features veteran stars Sara Hall, Des Linden, and Susanna Sullivan, alongside rising track star Emma Grace Hurley making her marathon debut.
Consistent Greatness on the World Stage
Young’s decision to chase the national record comes on the back of an extraordinarily consistent multi-year stretch across major international championships and Abbott World Marathon Majors:
- 2026 Boston Marathon: 11th place (2:05:41 PB)
- 2025 World Athletics Championships (Tokyo): 9th place (Top American finisher)
- 2025 Boston Marathon: 7th place (2:07:04)
- 2024 Paris Olympic Games: 9th place
- 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials: 2nd place
Friendly Rivalry and the Brooks Push
Chasing a national mark set by a direct training partner adds an compelling layer to the attempt. Young and Mantz—both former Brigham Young University standouts coached by Ed Eyestone—have dominated domestic marathon headlines through their synchronized racing and shared success.
The record chase also aligns with a broader push from Young’s sponsor, Brooks Running, which has leaned heavily into high-profile record attempts on major stages.
When the gun goes off in Grant Park on October 11, all eyes in the American distance running world will be on Young as he tests his limits against both the clock and a historic international field.
What do you think of Clayton Young’s chances of breaking 2:04:43 in Chicago? Share your predictions in the comments below or join the conversation on our social media channels.
