Conner Mantz withdraws
American record‑holder Conner Mantz has withdrawn from the 130th Boston Marathon — notable after his 2:05:02 last year (the second‑fastest American ever). Race day is forecasted with highs near 58°F and lows around 43°F, and organizers have tightened qualifying standards as they aim for a 30,000‑runner field this year. ( )
Conner Mantz announced his withdrawal on March 31, 2026, three weeks before the April 20 Boston Marathon in a message distributed by the Boston Athletic Association. (wcvb.com) Mantz said in the statement that “my fitness has not progressed well enough for me to be able to race the upcoming Boston Marathon at my best,” and added he was “very disappointed” but expects to return to racing soon. (nbcsports.com) Canadian Running and other outlets reported Mantz’s recent training was disrupted by a sacral stress fracture sustained after the Chicago Marathon, and he “hasn’t returned to full fitness” since that injury. (runningmagazine.ca) The B.A.A. had originally listed Mantz among the headline professionals in its January pro-field release for the 130th edition, making his late scratch a notable change to the announced elite roster. (baa.org) Race analysts say Mantz’s absence removes a top American contender and shifts the domestic pecking order for Patriots’ Day to runners such as Clayton Young, Biya Simbassa, Zouhair Talbi and C.J. Albertson, who now lead the U.S. storylines at Boston. (runtimeracing.co) With Mantz out, previews and commentary on the men’s race frame Boston’s elite battle more around the returning world and major-marathon champions already named to the field rather than the American-record duel previously anticipated. (marathonjournal.com)
