American best, personal best, but an “illegal” record—that’s how American long-distance runner Conner Mantz finished second in the United NYC Half Marathon 2025. With a clocking time of 59:15 at Houston, it still lagged somewhere behind. But with hopes high, Mantz is confident and all geared up for the mercy destination. And why not? One race can’t decide your worth, but let’s be honest, it is heartbreaking. So, how is the 28-year-old long-distance runner preparing for the Boston Marathon?

Well, after placing second at Houston with his personal best, Conner Mantz spoke to Citius Mag. The interviewer asked him if he tapered down the miles at all coming into this week. Racing isn’t just about showing up—it’s about showing up prepared. Mantz replied, “I did quite a bit this week. Last week was still pretty high—I think last week was around 115, 114. This week, I probably ended at something like 90, so this week was pretty, pretty light.”

That strategic tapering is crucial in the lead-up to a major race like Boston. Though he got robbed at the Houston race, Conner Mantz made a record that wasn’t even counted as legal. But he seems to be confident about the Boston Marathon.

Beyond the miles, there’s a philosophy at play. The athlete’s coach, Ione, instills a mindset that turns every race into an opportunity, not just a workout. “You don’t fly all the way across the country to just get a training session in. If you’re going to race, if you’re going to fly across the country, let’s try and race well,”, the track and field star mentioned. That mentality underscores the importance of being present, engaged, and ready to give it everything on race day.

But sometimes, even with the best preparation and mindset, the competition is just better on the day. “So, um, I thought I did everything I could to allow myself to try and come away with the win today, but Abel Kipchumba was just better,” he admitted. Kenya’s Abel Kipchumba defeated Conner Mantz with just six seconds. Tough call. But that’s the beauty of track, isn’t it?

Track and field star Conner Mantz was not prepared for what happened

Records are meant to be broken—but what happens when they don’t count? That’s exactly what American track and field star Conner Mantz is grappling with after his career-best marathon time at the New York City Marathon was deemed invalid. The culprit? An illegal track. Despite putting in months of grueling training and executing a near-perfect race, the effort won’t go down in the official record books.

For elite athletes, every second matters, and shaving time off a personal best with a 59:15 clocking time is a monumental achievement. And Mantz’s performance was one of those shining moments—until it wasn’t. But the technicality surrounding the World Athletics and USATF requirements instantly erased what could have been a historic milestone.

But rules are rules, and World Athletics doesn’t bend them, no matter how impressive the run. The situation sparks a bigger conversation: should an athlete’s personal best be defined only by the conditions under which it was achieved? While some argue that an outstanding race should still be celebrated, others point out that standardized regulations exist for a reason—to keep the playing field fair.

For American long-distance runner Mantz, this setback isn’t the end of the road—it’s fuel for the next race. If not Houston, then the Boston Marathon will be the one—his talent and determination remain undeniable. Are you ready to see Conner Mantz’s magic on track? Because we surely are.