After a year away from the distance, Conner Mantz steps up to the start line of the New York City Marathon with fresh legs and a record‑holding résumé.
Key points
- Conner Mantz returns to marathon competition after a year‑long recovery from sacral stress fractures.
- Coach Ed Eyestone believes Mantz is in peak condition and will start the New York City Marathon with fresh legs.
- Mantz will face strong American rivals and a deep international field as he seeks his first major marathon podium.
Conner Mantz, the former Brigham Young University distance star who set the standing American marathon record of 2:04:43 at the Chicago Marathon, is slated to line up for the New York City Marathon on Sunday – his first marathon since the spring of 2025.
Mantz’s last race was a historic Chicago performance that still ranks as the fastest American time, but the ensuing months were marred by two sacral stress fractures and related pelvic stress reactions that kept him off the distance circuit.
Injury comeback
Long‑time coach Ed Eyestone says Mantz is now “in a good place,” likening his current condition to the form he displayed when he broke the record in Chicago, and noting that the athlete will start New York with “fresh legs.”
Eyestone’s optimism is reinforced by the recent showing of Mantz’s training partner, Clayton Young, who clocked 2:05:23 in Chicago – the second‑fastest American marathon ever – a performance that, according to Eyestone, should boost Mantz’s confidence.
Coach's confidence
The New York field includes rising American contenders Zouhair Talbi and Charles Hicks, both of whom posted wind‑aided sub‑2:04:45 times in Boston, as well as the usual depth of Kenyan and Ethiopian elites. Former BYU teammate Aiden Troutner, the U.S. 10K road champion, will also be in the race.
Having finished just outside the podium in his last two major marathons, Mantz is targeting his first top‑three finish in a World Marathon Major, hoping the 20 weeks of hard training will translate into a breakthrough performance.
Reader questions
When is Conner Mantz scheduled to run the New York City Marathon?
Mantz is set to start the New York City Marathon on Sunday, October 31, 2026.
What injuries kept Mantz from racing last year?
He dealt with two sacral stress fractures and accompanying stress reactions in his pelvis.
Who is Mantz’s coach and what does he say about Mantz’s readiness?
His coach is former Olympian Ed Eyestone, who says Mantz is “in a good place” and will enter the race with fresh legs.
Source: deseret.com
