A friendship turned mentorship between Conner Mantz and Clayton Young, former Brigham Young University (BYU) teammates and current professional training partners, culminated in a thrilling finale at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials held in Orlando, Florida. The duo ran stride by stride for 26 miles before crossing the finish line in first and second place, securing their spots on the U.S. Olympic team for the upcoming Paris Games.

The momentous race marked the first Olympics for both Mantz and Young, who had only one question left to answer – who would claim the victory and who would finish as the runner-up. In a display of camaraderie, Young, the mentor to Mantz during their time as Cougars, encouraged his younger colleague to savor the moment. Young, slowing down slightly, extended his arms as if creating a runway for Mantz to accelerate ahead. In the end, Mantz triumphed, winning the race with a time of 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 5 seconds, while Young finished a mere 1.19 seconds behind.

Speaking about their relationship, Young affectionately described it as resembling a close marriage. Despite having their fair share of disagreements and maintaining a highly competitive spirit, the pair's partnership has thrived. Mantz and Young credited their success to their ability to work together as a team.

Both athletes share similar journeys, having gained around 30 pounds during their respective two-year Mormon missions, during which they were unable to train full-time. From their time in Provo, Utah, they take their inspiring stories to the Olympic stage in Paris this summer. Their bond extends beyond the sport, with Mantz and his wife, Kylie, babysitting Young's children, while Young's wife, Ashley, prepares breakfast for the duo after their training runs.

For Mantz, 27 years old and the clear favorite leading into the trials, the race proved to be a grueling challenge. However, Young's constant support and encouragement allowed Mantz to push through the final two miles. Mantz had already made a remarkable impact in 2022 when he debuted with an exceptional time of 2:08:16 at the Chicago Marathon, making him the seventh-fastest American marathon runner in history.

Young, on the other hand, faced a more arduous path to the Olympic Trials. Hindered by injuries, he finished 136th in his debut at the Tokyo Olympic Trials. Additionally, he experienced a setback when he collapsed just 300 meters from the finish line in another marathon, causing him to fall out of the top 10. However, Young's determination and resilience prevailed, culminating in him setting a new personal best time at the Chicago Marathon, making him the second-fastest American marathon runner in 2023, trailing only Mantz.

Leonard Korir is also set to join Mantz and Young on the Olympic team, having moved from fifth to third place in the 26th mile. With previous Olympic experience, Korir finished 14th in the 10,000m event in Rio 2016 and narrowly missed out on making the Tokyo Olympic marathon team.

The U.S. team's third spot via international rankings is yet to be confirmed and will be determined by a May 5 cutoff. The Tokyo Marathon, taking place on March 3, will feature notable athletes such as Eliud Kipchoge and Sifan Hassan, who set the second-fastest women's marathon time in history at the Chicago Marathon in October.

The U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials showcased the remarkable friendship and mentorship between Mantz and Young, taking them from their days at BYU to the international stage. These two talented athletes have proven that through teamwork and unwavering support, incredible achievements can be reached, symbolizing the true spirit of the Olympic Games.