Clayton Young

Clayton Young (born 14 September 1993) is an American long-distance runner, who competes for Asics. He ran collegiately for Brigham Young University, and won the 10,000 metres at the 2019 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships. He set a personal best of 2:08:00 at the 2023 Chicago Marathon, finishing seventh. Young finished second at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, qualifying him for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

High school and college
Young attended American Fork High School in American Fork, Utah. He is a 2011 All-American at the Nike Cross Nationals. He won the 2010 Utah High School Activities Association 5A Cross Country Championship individual title.

While competing for Brigham Young University, he set personal bests of 13:31 for 5000m and 28:18 for 10000m. In 2019, he secured a national title in the 10000m, finishing with a time of 29:16.60.

Professional
After completing his collegiate eligibility at BYU in June 2019, Young turned professional, signing with Asics.

He debuted in the marathon at the 2020 U.S. Olympic marathon trials in Atlanta in a time of 2:29:46.

In his second marathon at the 2021 Chicago Marathon, he set out at 2:12 pace, splitting a time of 1:06:11 through halfway. However over the final few kilometers he faded slightly, still managing a 13 minute personal best finishing in a time of 2:16:07.

Returning Young finished 18th at the 2022 Chicago Marathon in 2:11:51 as the fifth American finisher.

In 2023, he secured national titles in both the 8km and 20 km US Road Running Championships. At the 2023 Chicago Marathon, Young earned seventh place overall and second American with a time of 2:08:00, a time that met the Olympic qualifying standard of 2:08:10.

Young entered the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials with the second fasted seed time with his 2:08 mark from the 2023 Chicago Marathon. Young was able to stay with the lead pack as several pre-race favourites fell off the pace and by mile 19, the lead pack consisted of just three men: Zach Panning, Young, and his training partner Conner Mantz. Around mile 22, Panning fell off the pace leaving Young and Mantz as the two leaders. The two celebrated their all but certain qualification for the Olympics through the last few miles. At the finish line, Young allowed Mantz to take the win as both men earned a spot to represent the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympics with Young finishing in his second best marathon time ever of 2:09:06 to Mantz's 2:09:05.

Personal life
Young took a two-year hiatus from competitive running after high school to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Raleigh, North Carolina. Upon returning in 2015, Young redshirted his first year at Brigham Young University (BYU). He and his wife, Ashley Young, have two daughters: Lucy (b. 2019) and Jenna (b. 2021).

Achievements
Information from athlete's profile on World Athletics, unless otherwise noted.

BYU
Results sourced from athlete's profile on the Track & Field Results Reporting Service (TFRRS).

American Fork High School
Results sourced from athlete's profile on Athletic.net.