Clayton Young After Running 2:05:41 At The 2026 Boston Marathon And The Mantra Of “Fresh, Flow, Fearless, and Faith” | Race Recap + Reflection

In this episode, host Chris Chavez sits down with Clayton Young after his remarkable performance at the 2026 Boston Marathon, where he finished 11th in a time of 2:05:41, making him one of the five fastest American marathoners. Young reflects on his journey to this marathon, which included overcoming a foot and ankle injury that affected his training leading up to the race. He discusses the mental decisions he faced: to either play to win or accept the circumstances as excuses.

Young explains how he leaned into the mantra given by his coach, Ed Eyestone – 'fresh, flow, fearless, and faith' – and the importance of gathering intel from fellow runners before the race. This preparation and mindset contributed to his successful execution on race day, where he embraced a fearlessness that propelled him through the challenging Boston course. He also shared insights on the competitive landscape of American marathoning, recognizing the emergence of new talents and the depth of the field he raced against.

Despite the outstanding performance and achieving a personal record, Young also expressed disappointment at not finishing in the top 10, reflecting on the significance of placement at such a prestigious event. He draws parallels between this race and upcoming Olympic trials, emphasizing the lessons learned and how they will inform his training moving forward. Young concludes the episode by expressing excitement about future goals and the importance of continuous improvement and self-belief in his athletic journey.