# Clayton Young

Clayton Young (born September 14, 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.

## Running career
### 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 8 km 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).

## Social Media

Ahead of the 2024 Olympic and New York City marathons, Young created a YouTube page documenting his marathon training for Paris. The video series documents his day to day life as a pro athlete training for an international event. He has amassed over 25,000 followers since he started posting.

## Achievements

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

### Marathons

| Year | Competition | Performance | Position | Place | Date |
| 2020 | 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials | 2:29:46 | 136th | Atlanta, Georgia | February 29, 2020 |
| 2021 | 2021 Chicago Marathon | 2:16:07 | 13th | Chicago, Illinois | October 10, 2021 |
| 2022 | 2022 Chicago Marathon | 2:11:51 | 18th | Chicago, Illinois | October 9, 2022 |
| 2023 | 2023 Chicago Marathon | 2:08:00 | 7th | Chicago, Illinois | October 8, 2023 |
| 2024 | 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials | 2:09:06 | 2nd | Orlando, Florida | February 3, 2024 |
| 2024 | 2024 Olympic Marathon | 2:08:44 | 9th | Paris, France | August 10, 2024 |
| 2024 | 2024 New York City Marathon | 2:09:21 | 7th | New York City, New York | November 3, 2024 |

### BYU

Results sourced from athlete's profile on the Track & Field Results Reporting Service (TFRRS).
Representing BYU Cougars :
| School Year | West Coast Conference Cross Country Championships | NCAA Cross Country Championships | MPSF Indoor Track Championships | NCAA Indoor Track Championship | NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Track Championships |
| 2018–19 Senior | 11th 24:05.9 | 72nd 30:25.2 | 4th 4:00.77 Mile | 3rd 7:55.86 3000 m | 1st 29:16.60 10,000m |
| 2018–19 Senior | 11th 24:05.9 | 72nd 30:25.2 | 4th 4:00.77 Mile | 6th 13:45.35 5000 m | 6th 14:09.00 5000m |
| 2017–18 Junior | 5th 23:29.1 | 105th 30:47.4 | 20th 8:09.24 3000 m | | 23rd 31:37.54 10,000m |
| 2017–18 Junior | 5th 23:29.1 | 105th 30:47.4 | 20th 8:09.24 3000 m | | 12th 14:02.17 5000m |
| 2016–17 Sophomore | 7th 24:42.2 | 23rd 30:43.9 | 4th 9:50.53 DMR | 9th 8:02.11 3000 m | 17th 29:39.80 10,000m |
| 2016–17 Sophomore | 7th 24:42.2 | 23rd 30:43.9 | 4th 9:50.53 DMR | 9th 8:02.11 3000 m | 10th 14:38.45 5000m |

### American Fork High School

Results sourced from athlete's profile on Athletic.net.
| Year | Nike Cross Nationals | Great Southwest T&F Classic | Great Southwest T&F Classic |
| 2011 | 24th 15:50.0 | | |
| 2010 | 96th 17:44.7 | | 3200 m 9:22.92 1st |
| 2009 | 61st 16:00.1 | | |
| Representing American Fork High School at Utah High School Activities Association ||||
| Year | Cross Country class 5A state championship | UHSTCA Indoor Championships | Outdoor Track and Field class 5A state championship |
| 2011–12 | 15:31.2 3rd place | | 3200 m 9:40.47 13th |
| 2011–12 | 15:31.2 3rd place | | 1600 m 4:26.3 8th |
| 2010–11 | 15:23.9 1st place | 3200 m 9:22.92 2nd | 3200 m 9:19.09 3rd |
| 2010–11 | 15:23.9 1st place | | 1600 m 4:16.21 3rd |
| 2010–11 | 15:23.9 1st place | | 800 m 1:56.30 5th |
| 2009–10 | 15:43.6 4th place | | 3200 m 9:13.02 2nd |
| 2009–10 | 15:43.6 4th place | | 1600 m 4:22.43 3rd |
| 2009–10 | 15:43.6 4th place | | 800 m 1:55.87 5th |
| 2008–09 | 16:56.4 45th place | | 3200 m 10:03.44 12th |