American Record Holders Strength Train and So Should You!
October 13, 2025
By Coach Collen McLain
2 min to read
Kinesis Integrated is a personalized strength training app for endurance athletes. Trusted by Olympians and elite athletes, our app helps you build strength, prevent injuries, and hit new PRs.
At the 2025 Chicago Marathon, Utah’s Conner Mantz shattered the 23-year-old American men’s marathon record of 2:05:38 with a blazing time of 2:04:43. This performance not only set a new American Record but also stands as the fastest marathon ever run by a North American regardless of course or conditions.
If you’re a runner training in Boulder, Colorado, or anywhere with a strong endurance community, there’s a lot to learn from how Mantz trains. His success didn’t happen by chance. It’s the product of years of disciplined, structured preparation that includes a critical but often overlooked component: strength training for marathon performance.
The Foundation of Conner Mantz’s American Record Training
Before breaking records, Mantz built his foundation as a multiple-time All-American and national champion while competing for BYU. After turning professional with Nike, he continued training under longtime coach Ed Eyestone through the newly formed Run Elite Program.
One of the unique advantages of the Run Elite setup is access to BYU’s strength and conditioning facilities, where Mantz and his teammates train under strength coach Braden Goimarac. Goimarac’s work is instrumental in keeping athletes strong, resilient, and efficient, key components of any strength training for endurance sports program.
What Strength Training for Marathon Runners Looks Like
Goimarac’s system is almost identical to the Kinesis system: both simple and effective, proving that elite-level American record training doesn’t require complex equipment. The same program used for top-tier marathoners and BYU’s cross country and track athletes can easily be adapted for runners just like the elites training in places like Boulder, Colorado, Chicago, or New York City and other running hubs in the US.
Here’s what a typical week of strength training for marathon runners might include:
Two strength sessions per week, continued throughout the training cycle. Even up to five days before race day.
Plyometric exercises to improve power and stride efficiency.
Compound lifts using both double- and single-leg variations to build balanced lower-body strength.
Accessory movements targeting stabilizing muscles and common injury sites like the hips and knees.
Upper-body training to enhance posture, arm drive, and overall coordination—turning runners into strong, efficient athletes.
This type of programming is both practical and proven. It’s not just for elites like Mantz; it’s ideal for endurance athletes of all levels who want to build strength without sacrificing time on the roads or trails. This simple approach is the cornerstone for endurance athletes and a key pillar of the Kinesis system
Why Strength Training Matters for Endurance Athletes
There’s no denying that Conner Mantz’s American record came from years of consistent, smart training. But what sets him apart is how strength training for endurance sports helped him stay healthy, powerful, and efficient. Strength work keeps his body resilient enough to handle high mileage while improving stride mechanics, allowing him to sustain an incredible 4:46 per mile pace for 26.2 miles.
If you’re training for your next marathon, whether you’re logging miles in Boulder, Colorado, or chasing a Boston qualifier elsewhere, consider following Mantz’s example. Integrating consistent strength training for marathon performance could be the key to breaking your own personal record and staying injury-free.
Because if the American record holder makes strength training a non-negotiable part of his program, so should you.
At Kinesis, we help endurance athletes stay healthy and perform year-round. Whether you’re training for Boston, UTMB, or your local 10K, our strength plans plug into your routine and make you stronger where it counts.
Our app auto-builds a race-specific plan in minutes so you climb harder, descend cleaner, and finish fresher. Start for free here.
