Conner Mantz revealed on Tuesday that he would not participate in this year’s Boston Marathon on April 20 as his buildup to the race has not improved in time for competition.
“Unfortunately, my fitness has not progressed well enough for me to be able to race the upcoming Boston Marathon at my best,” Mantz said. “I am very disappointed but look forward to being back racing soon.”
The Boston Athletic Association, organizer of the race, also confirmed that Mantz withdrew from the event.
Mantz, 29, was fourth in last year’s race in 2:05:08, which was part of a strong year of competition for the Utah native, who bolted to American records in the half marathon in 50:19 at the Aramco Houston Half Marathon in January and a 2:04:43 fourth place finish at the Chicago Marathon in October. Khalid Khannouchi set the previous American record in 2:05:38 at the 2002 London Marathon.
But even without Mantz lining up at the start in Hopkinton later this month, the men’s elite field will still feature a loaded group as defending champion John Korir returns, with Benson Kipruto, Cybrian Kotut, Abdi Nageeye, Lemi Berhanu, Hailemaryam Kiros, Alex Masai, Alphonce Felix Simbu and Mohamed Esa all vying for solid performances and a shot at the podium.
Korir was dominant by mile 21 in last year’s race, after finishing fourth and ninth in two previous Boston attempts and took the win in 2:04:45. Meanwhile, Mantz, Simbu and Kotut battled for the second and third place spots. Simbu and Kotut would eventually kick to the line, both crossing in 2:05:04, with Simbu just hundredths of a second ahead.
Meanwhile, the elite women’s field will get its own serving of intensity as Sharon Lokedi returns following a dramatic 2:17:22 win over Hellen Obiri in last year’s race.
And while Obiri opted to run the London Marathon on April 26, the women’s group will see Irine Cheptai, Workenesh Edesa, Magdalena Shauri and Joan Melly be among those who will be a factor in the closing stages as the race makes its final turn onto Boylston Street.
