Sports · Running & Athletics · 1 day ago
Clayton Young Runs Second-Fastest U.S. Marathon Time at Chicago
Clayton Young finished seventh in the Chicago Marathon in 2:05:23, setting a personal best.
The 33-year-old was the top American finisher and recorded the second-fastest U.S. time ever on a course eligible for records.
He knew the American record was out of reach, but focused on finishing ahead of fellow Americans Charles Hicks and Vinny Mauri.
At about mile 22, Young began counting out 100-second bursts of hard running to open a gap.
He repeated the effort until the finish, concentrating on a short stretch rather than the remaining miles.
Young says the approach helps him stay focused and makes a difficult effort feel manageable.
The method can use shorter intervals too, and he says 100 seconds is enough even for slower runners.
Clayton Young finished seventh at the Chicago Marathon in 2:05:23, setting a personal record.
His time was the second-fastest ever by a U.S. runner on a record-eligible course.
Young used repeated 100-second efforts to pull away from fellow American Charles Hicks.
He said he was focused on becoming the top American after the American record was out of reach.
The 33-year-old said the tactic helps him stay present by breaking a difficult effort into manageable periods.
- Who
- Clayton Young, 33, an American marathon runner.
- What
- He ran 2:05:23 at the Chicago Marathon, the second-fastest U.S. time ever on a record-eligible course.
- When
- Sunday; the article was published on October 11, 2026.
- Where
- The Chicago Marathon in Chicago.
- Why
- Young wanted to become the top American after realizing the American record was out of reach.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Young began using the 100-second mental technique, which he said was inspired by advice from Jared Ward.
Young ran with Charles Hicks and Vinny Mauri and knew the American record was out of reach.
Young used the technique and ran the split in 4:38.
Young placed seventh in 2:05:23, a personal record and the second-fastest U.S. time ever on a record-eligible course.
- Finish time
- 2:05:23
- Finish place
- Seventh
- U.S. ranking
- Second-fastest U.S. time ever on a record-eligible course
- Personal record
- 2:05:23
- Technique
- Repeated 100-second hard efforts
- Age
- 33
What people are saying
I was like, ‘Okay, well, I'm going to count to 100 seconds, press as hard as I can, see where I'm at in 100 seconds.’
It’s way easier to do something for 100 seconds than know that I have to do this for six more miles or 10K or whatever it is.
But for me, getting my mind to do something for 100 seconds instead of waiting a mile keeps me present.
No, 100 seconds is enough.
Sources
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