Chicago Marathon recorded the fastest marathon time ever in human history. Kelvin Kiptum broke the world record leaving behind Eliud Kipchoge. Four course records were also made in the same race. The fast course of Chicago helped two young American runners to run their races under the Marathon qualifying standard time that is 2:08:10.

The roster of athletes for the Paris Olympics 2024 is not certain yet. But the three spots for the US team seem to be getting filled with two runners who have strongly affirmed their position with their running time. Conner Mantz made a personal record at 2:07:47 and Clayton Young just finished under 10 seconds of the Olympic quote, crossing the finishing line at 2:08:00.

Running under the Olympic standard

The American dream of the Paris Olympics 2024 is still alive in the marathon event. However, they are short on prospects. The runners who can run under the qualifying standards will be the ones representing the USA in the marathon event at the Olympics. But it seems like there is only one spot left. This is where Conner Mantz and Clayton Young come in. The two Americans were able to finish Chicago under the 2:08:10 mark. Now this might help them use their records as a trampoline to jump into the group of qualifying runners for Paris 2024, according to an article by the Citius Mag.

Two young runners, Mantz and Young, started running together. They have been training together since their college days and moved together as professional runners. Pushing each other in the practices and on the race day to get the best out of both the runners. 

Talking to Olympic.com in an exclusive interview, Young said, “We’ve been training together since 2017, together through college and now as professionals and couldn’t ask for a better training partner.” They finished their races just seconds after each other, Young further told Olympics.com that finishing closer to Mantz was a big step for him. He usually does that in training and he is really happy that he was able to finish very close to him. They both ran their Chicago course just around 13 seconds from each other.

Chicago Marathon, an important step

In an interview with Olympics.com, Conner Mantz said that for him Chicago was the prepping race for the Olympic event in 2024, the focus every four years. He knew that a good show in the race would not only earn him a spot on the Olympic team, but also perform well in that highest arena. He said in an interview with Olympic.com “Every race has helped me prepare for the trials, and then the Olympic Games.”

Read more: American Sporting World Hit with Another Tragedy as Marathon Legend Passed Away

Chicago proved to be a historic race for a lot of athletes for a lot of reasons. Kiptum dominated the race, leaving Kipchoge’s record in dust, and then the two runners paved their way for the Paris Olympics. There is still one spot left and a few races still left to hit that Olympic standard mark. All eyes are out there looking for that third spot holder and the time they stack on the record charts for Team USA.

Watch this story: “Try Again”: Simone Biles Slams Leading Daily for Photo Screw Up