In a bid to rewrite history, U.S. Marathon champion Connor Mantz will attempt to break the American marathon record at the 2025 Chicago Marathon. Mantz, fresh off a strong performance at the Paris Olympics, is setting his sights on the current record of 2:05:38, held since 2002. This pursuit of the primarykeyword is a monumental task,given the record’s longevity and the caliber of Mantz’s competitors.The Chicago Marathon, a secondarykeyword, offers the ideal stage for mantz to showcase his talent. The American record chase, another secondary_keyword, has the running world abuzz. With his coach’s confidence and a history of record-breaking performances at the event, the stage is set for an electrifying race. Find the latest at News Directory 3. discover what’s next as Mantz gears up for October.
Conner Mantz Aims for American Record at Chicago Marathon
Updated June 5, 2025
Conner Mantz, the reigning U.S. Marathon champion and top American finisher at the Paris Olympics, will compete in the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, organizers announced Thursday. Mantz hopes to break the American record of 2:05:38, set by Khalid Khannouchi in 2002. This pursuit of the American record is a primary_keyword for Mantz.
The Chicago Marathon highlighted Mantz’s recent performances,noting he poses the moast significant threat to Khannouchi’s record in over a decade. Mantz previously broke an 18-year-old half marathon record with a time of 59:17 at the Houston Half Marathon. He also finished fourth in the Boston Marathon in 2:05:08, despite headwinds on the course.
“I feel ready to run at that pace,” Mantz said. “After Boston,where I finished with guys who have run 2:02 and 2:03,it doesn’t feel like a stretch to say I can run 2:05:30 on a looped,flat course.”
Mantz debuted at the Chicago Marathon in 2022,finishing seventh in 2:08:16. He improved his time the following year by 29 seconds, becoming the fifth-fastest American marathoner. His coach, Ed Eyestone, a 1994 Chicago Marathon runner-up, believes Mantz is ready. The Chicago marathon is a secondary_keyword_1 that provides the perfect stage.
“I want to get the American record in the U.S.,” Mantz said. “I’m well prepared. On the right day, you can do something pretty special in Chicago.”
Eyestone added,“Conner has reached a level where he can make and achieve big goals. Chicago is the perfect location for him to combine his consistency and confidence in a build that will hopefully culminate in the American record.”
Khannouchi, whose record has stood for 23 years, is expected to attend the race in October to support Mantz. The American record chase is a secondary_keyword_2 that has captured the attention of the running world.
“Holding the American record all of these years has meant the world to me,” Khannouchi said. “But, I don’t think it will be a bittersweet moment for me if the record gets broken this fall.We will all be rooting for Conner.”
A men’s American record would continue a trend of record-breaking performances in Chicago. in the past three years,the women’s American record,the men’s world record,and the women’s world record have all been set at the Chicago Marathon.
Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski said, “The Bank of America Chicago marathon is a great American race in a great American city and it’s where the American record belongs. I look forward to seeing Conner run into Grant Park with time to spare so he can celebrate with all of the fans cheering him across the finish line.”
What’s next
The 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will take place Oct. 12. Mantz will continue his training, aiming to arrive in Chicago ready to challenge Khannouchi’s long-standing record.
