Florida, on the third of February, welcomed the first U.S. Olympic Team Trials for the marathon. About 350 runners crowded the streets of Orlando to gain their ticket to the most coveted of stages arriving in the next 6 months. However, following over a 2-hour run, only 5 of the top runners, broke through to clinch their dream, and Clayton Young held a heaving heart for a fellow runner on the track behind.

200 men raced the 26.2-mile marathon course of Orlando on Saturday to best others. Ultimately, training partners Conner Mantz and Clayton Young finished one-two to make the Olympic team. However, according to the latter of the champions, the path could have held a different result if it weren’t for Zach Panning.

Clayton Young credits fellow marathon runner for the win

The former NCAA champion, Clayton Young, is a promising talent in the long-distance running scenes. The 30-year-old backed it up as he triumphed over the US Olympic trials and further went on to present a humbling emotion over the success. “I got to see Zach [Panning] after the race and honestly, my heart breaks for Zack for taking sixth. He is what made that race happen today,” he said, teary-eyed at a conference. He further adds that he was struggling in the first half and it wasn’t until the second half of the 8-mile loop that his confidence started to build. “He’s the one that made that happen,” Clayton adds, recalling how Zach stuck through.

From the start of the race, it was Panning who took the lead of the pack. The 25-year-old covered the first six miles in 29:56 followed by Young and Mantz right behind. However, by the 22-mile mark, the duo sped ahead, putting up a distance to clinch their first Olympic qualification.

A career-first for the training duo

Clayton Young and Conner Mantz, both train under with coach Ed Eyestone, a two-time Olympian. Throughout the course, the two ensured to carry the bond, helping each other out to the finish line.

“The last two miles, I wasn’t sure if I was gonna be able to finish, but Clayton just kept saying, ‘Hey, just run behind me. We got this, just stay together,” Mantz told NBC. The 27-year-old finished first with 2:09:05 on board and Young followed a second behind with 2:09:06. But this does not mean that they lose the competitive flare as Young pointed out.

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“We have our disagreements sometimes. We’re very, very competitive, but not today. Conner and I are better when we work together,” were Young’s words. In doing so, the two ensured their first marathon Olympic team spot.

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