Mezue ahịrịokwu na-esonụ: A mụrụ Don Clary n'Anchorage, Alaska, ma gụchaa akwụkwọ n'East Anchorage High School na 1975. Clary nwere ihe ịga nke ọma mbụ ya dịka onye na-eto eto (n'okpuru 20) na-eme egwuregwu na
1975 IAAF World Cross Country Championships ebe ebe nke ise ya mere ka ndị America na-eto eto nweta aha otu, n'akụkụ Bobby Thomas, Roy Kissin, na Ralph Serna. Ọ gara na Mahadum Oregon wee gbaa ọsọ maka ndị otu kọleji Oregon Ducks. Na 1978 NCAA Division I Men's Cross Country Championships ọ nọrọ na nke asaa wee bụrụ onye nke abụọ na ọkwa otu yana nwa klas ya Alberto Salazar. Ọ gbara ọsọ 3000 mita steeplechase na 1978 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships wee ruo ebe nke asaa. Otú ọ dị, o meriri n'asọmpi mba mbụ ya n'afọ ahụ, na-eme nke ahụ n'ọsọ ọsọ otu awa.