New Delhi, Oct. 12 -- After more than 20 years, the US finally has a new men's marathon record holder- Conner Mantz. On Sunday morning in Chicago, the 28-year-old tore through the course in 2:04:43, crushing Khalid Khannouchi's 23-year-old record of 2:05:38, which had stood untouched since 2002. As Runner's World reported, Mantz placed fourth overall, averaging 4:45 per mile - an astonishing pace by any standard.

Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo won the marathon in 2:02:23. Americans Zouhair Talbi and Wesley Kiptoo followed Mantz in 2:07:27 and 2:09:02.

This was not a surprise run. Mantz had been upfront about his goal since June, saying Chicago was where he would chase Khannouchi's time. At the halfway mark, he clocked 1:02:19, situated in the e...