Three former BYU distance runners will be among the thousands competing in the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 12.
One of them will be chasing an American record.
Connor Mantz, a two-time NCAA cross country champion and former Cougar standout, returns to the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon aiming to break the American record of 2:05:38, which has stood since 2002.
Mantz is in top form after running a personal best of 2:05:08 at the Boston Marathon earlier this year.
Joining him in Chicago are Casey Clinger and Creed Thompson, who will both make their marathon debuts. The two are listed in the official 2025 Chicago Marathon professional field, marking their move from college competition to the professional stage.
Clinger and Thompson helped BYU win the 2024 NCAA Cross Country National Championship, with Clinger placing sixth overall and Thompson finishing 12th to earn All-America honors.
Now, they’ll join Mantz once again — this time on one of the world’s biggest marathon stages — as they continue to represent the strength and tradition of BYU distance running.