The sports world has witnessed several sentimental friendship examples that have captivated fans for years. One such instance was seen during the US Olympic marathon trials that were concluded on February 3 in Orlando, Florida. Conner Mantz and Clayton Young, probably two of the best marathon runners in the United States, showcased an incredible athletic display and secured a spot at the Paris Olympics 2024.

Interestingly, Young sacrificed his position for his friend turned brother Mantz and let him take the lead and finish in first place during the trials. Their touching demonstration of friendship has left every track and field fan in awe of their bond and has set a phenomenal example of what brotherhood means in its true sense. Now, Conner Mantz and Clayton Young have come together to share insights about their Olympic aspirations and how faith has been a driving force for them.

A marathon-forged connection tethered by a common unifier

The extraordinary track and field duo believes that it’s their trust that has brought them so far and kept them moving for so many years. “Through our canonized faith, we’ve realized that we’re more than just a couple of runners, we’re more than just professional athletes,” the athletes said in a statement given to CNN. The two also affirmed that, apart from being runners, they are also husbands and fathers and that they are the sons of God. The marathon comrades also revealed that their professional endeavors are also greatly influenced by this “eternal perspective,” and it serves as a grounding force for them.

Before crossing each other’s paths in college, both Clayton Young and Mantz were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which happens to be the largest denomination of Mormons, and they had also served missions before meeting each other. Mantz provided his services in Ghana, while Young was in North Carolina for a two-year mission. The aforementioned information becomes relevant as it’s their religious beliefs that have helped them alleviate the pressure of competing at the highest level. Well, their journey as marathon runners has progressed, and they will soon face each other once more.

Their journey has been remarkable so far

Both of them met each other at Brigham Young University in 2017 for the first time, and as per their revelation, they have run an approximate distance of 10,000 miles together. During the Olympics trials as well, the two were toe-to-toe against each other, and after they took over Zach Panning, the duo finished in the top two spots, with Conner Mantz in first place with 2:09:05 and Clayton Young in second place with 2:09:06.

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They also believe that embarking on the same journey and experiencing it so closely has helped them build a deeper bond with each other, as the two also train together when not running. As everything falls seamlessly into place, their synchronicity shines through, solidifying their fans’ trust in their ability to bring Olympic glory to America.

Read More: Brotherhood Bleeds American Glory As Clayton Young and Conner Mantz Make Paris Olympics 2024