Conner Mantz, the American marathon record-holder, has pulled out of the 130th Boston Marathon with the race just three weeks away. The BYU alum’s exit wipes out what many viewed as the clearest U.S. shot at a men’s podium and forces a quick reset of Patriots' Day expectations in Boston, as per WCVB.
What Mantz said
The Boston Athletic Association announced Mantz’s withdrawal Tuesday in a statement circulated to media. "Unfortunately, my fitness has not progressed well enough for me to be able to race the upcoming Boston Marathon at my best," Mantz wrote, as reported by WCVB. He added that he hopes to return to competition soon.
Mantz's recent form
Last fall, Mantz ran 2:04:43 to break the American marathon record at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, according to the race’s official press release. He followed that performance by placing fourth at the 129th Boston Marathon in 2025, clocking 2:05:08, a result that ranks among the fastest American times ever on the course, per Boston.com.
What it means for the U.S. field
With Mantz out, the Boston Athletic Association’s professional field announcement points to Galen Rupp, Clayton Young, Biya Simbassa and Ryan Ford as the top American men expected on the start line for Patriots' Day, while the overall 130th Boston Marathon field remains stacked with international talent. The race is scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2026, according to the Boston Athletic Association’s published field information.
Mantz’s withdrawal wipes away a major storyline after a winter that featured an American half-marathon mark and his Chicago breakthrough, and it shifts more of the spotlight onto the remaining U.S. hopefuls. The question now hanging over Boylston Street is whether one of those Americans can turn early-season form into a home-soil podium.
For now, Mantz has framed the move as a training decision rather than the result of a specific injury and has said he looks forward to getting back on the line. The Boston Athletic Association distributed his message and local outlets relayed it to fans who had circled his name on the start list. The Patriots' Day field still promises elite depth, and attention will pivot to who can capitalize on the open American opportunity in Boston this year.
