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Ethan Shuley Runs 2:07 in Osaka, Becomes Sixth-Fastest American Marathoner Ever

May 19, 2026
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Unknown a week ago, Ethan Shuley just ran 2:07:14 at the Osaka Marathon on February 22, finishing 14th and becoming the sixth-fastest U.S. marathoner ever on a record-eligible course despite having no sponsor, no agent, and an unconventional path back to elite running.

​Ethan Shuley did not start the weekend as a known name in American distance running. By Sunday afternoon in Osaka, he had run himself into the history books.

​The 27-year-old American clocked 2:07:14 at the Osaka Marathon on February 22, finishing 14th in a deep international field. The time makes him the sixth-fastest US marathoner ever on a record-eligible course.

​Ahead of him on the all-time list are Conner Mantz, Khalid Khannouchi, Galen Rupp, Ryan Hall, and Abbabiya Simbassa.

Until this race, Shuley had no sponsor and no agent.

​His path to this result has been unconventional. A strong high school runner in Kentucky, Shuley won two state cross country titles before serving a Mormon mission in eastern Ukraine.

@tempo_japan 2:07:14 for Ethan Shuley, #7 ♬ BORN FOR THIS - Foxxi

​At BYU, injuries limited him to one race. After the pandemic, he stepped away from competitive running.

​He moved to Tokyo in 2023 for work and film studies.

​At first, he trained casually and even attempted a 100-mile trail race, dropping out at mile 60. Gradually, he increased his mileage and added structured workouts.

​His marathon debut in late 2024 was 2:20. In less than 18 months, he improved to 2:18, then 2:11, and now 2:07.

​He currently trains under coach Isaac Wood, averaging about 115 miles per week


       

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