Mantz breaks 23-year American marathon record in Chicago 2:04:43

Conner Mantz broke a 23 year old American marathon record Sunday at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, finishing fourth in 2:04:43 to become the fastest American ever at the distance. Mantz ran an even-race 26.2 miles on the flat, fast Chicago course to shave 55 seconds off Khalid Khannouchi's 2002 mark of 2:05:38 and to set a new North American best.

The race was won by Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo in 2:02:23, his second marathon, with Kenya's Amos Kipruto second in 2:03:54 and Alex Masai third in 2:04:37. Mantz crossed the line about two minutes behind the winner but held a comfortable margin over the previous American standard. He recorded nearly even half splits of 1:02:19 and 1:02:24 and improved his personal best by more than three minutes from 2:07:47 set at Chicago in 2023.

Mantz had publicly announced in June that he would target the American record in Chicago. He said after the race that with roughly four kilometers to go he realized he was on pace to break the mark and that the last miles were "really tough." He described staying calm early in the race and letting the pacers carry the pack until the final push. His coach, Ed Eyestone, who provided commentary during the...