Mantz names his New York rivals after two stress fractures

Conner Mantz says he intends to be with the lead pack 24 miles into Sunday's New York City Marathon, and he named the men he thinks will be there in an interview with CITIUS MAG. Benson Kipruto, Andreas Almgren and Deresa Geleta.

CITIUS MAG

@CitiusMag

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It’s hard to bet against [Andreas] Almgren.

On Kipruto, Mantz said "he's always there." On Almgren, who is making his marathon debut and arrives as the favorite, Mantz said "it's hard to bet against" him. Geleta he simply expects to be in it.

The American question

The other name is Zouhair Talbi, described by CITIUS MAG as the top American from Boston and the fastest man in U.S. history on any course. Mantz's line on him was less certain than the rest. He said he hopes to be a little ahead of Talbi at that point, and noted that the last time the two raced each other they were together until about 600m to go.

That is the frame LetsRun puts on the day too. Mantz broke the American record a year ago in Chicago. Two stress fractures later, the site asks whether he is still America's best marathoner, with 2:03 man Talbi in the New York field.

Watching his own record from home

Mantz also told CITIUS MAG what it was like watching this year's Chicago Marathon while getting ready for church, hoping his American record would survive. Jonathan Gault posted the quote.

"I was like, this isn't going the way I want it to. I'm going to go shower. Probably needed to go to church to hear about pride."

Jonathan Gault

@jgault13

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Probably needed to go to church to hear about pride.

What it actually means

Mantz is not talking like someone managing a comeback. He is talking about being in the front group with two miles left against a debutant the betting favors, a man who has run 2:03, and two more of the field's best. New York does not pace to a time, so the only way to answer the question LetsRun is asking is to be there when the race starts moving. Sunday settles it.