‘I’m hungry’: BYU star smashes 25K record at Amway River Bank Run

GRAND RAPIDS, MI –– With prep state titles, NCAA All-American honors, and a BYU cross country national championship under his belt, Casey Clinger arrived at Saturday’s 48th Amway River Bank Run chasing something bigger.

He found it.

Running his first 25K road race—the nation’s largest—Clinger broke the American record, clocking an astonishing 1 hour, 12 minutes and 15.01 seconds. He crushed the previous mark, set by Diego Estrada (1:13:09) during last year’s race.

Clinger stayed in the lead pack throughout, pulling ahead with a powerful surge in the final mile to seal the win.

“It’s really rewarding to step up to the next level and face top competition … but honestly, I’m hungry and ready to get out there again,” said Clinger, 26. “I love it, and I just want to keep grinding. I’m excited for what’s ahead.”

The American Fork, Utah native was one of three men to finish under Estrada’s 2023 record –– joined by Olympians Joe Klecker (1:12:31.42) and Hillary Bor (1:12:51.05).

More than 10,000 participants joined Saturday’s Amway River Bank Run, which included events like a 5K walk, 5K and 10K runs, a 25K, and a 25K wheelchair and handcycle race.

The event began at 7 a.m. with the 5K, followed by other race distances in staggered starts.

On the women’s side, 31-year-old Carrie Ellwood from Boulder, Colorado took the 25K title with a time of 1:22:24.19. A former first-grade teacher, she left education to pursue professional running.

“This win completely confirmed my decision. I’ve never gone all-in on running until now, and this showed it’s time,” Ellwood said.

Clinger’s entry into the race was a spontaneous one, but after breaking the record, he emphasized how much it meant.

“This means the world to me. It’s my first national title since high school,” Clinger said. “It was kind of a last-minute call, but my coach and I believed I could compete. Being able to try longer races and do well is something I really enjoy.”

At BYU, Clinger earned five All-American honors and led the team to its first Big 12 title in 2024, placing third individually as the Cougars won the overall crown.

As a high school standout at American Fork, Clinger was named 2016 Gatorade Cross Country National Athlete of the Year and collected eight state titles in cross country and track’s 1,600 and 3,200-meter events.

He credited his coaches for preparing him to break the American record.