Pedzisa mutsara unotevera: Don Clary akaberekerwa muAnchorage, Alaska, uye akapedza kudzidza paEast Anchorage High School muna 1975. Clary akawana kubudirira kwake kwokutanga semutambi wechidiki (pasi pemakore makumi maviri) pa
1975 IAAF World Cross Country Championships apo nzvimbo yake yechishanu yakatora vechidiki veAmerica kunzvimbo yechikwata, pamwe naBobby Thomas, Roy Kissin, naRalph Serna. Akaenderera mberi kuenda kuYunivhesiti yeOregon ndokumhanyira timu yeOregon Ducks yekoreji. Pa1978 NCAA Division I Men's Cross Country Championships akaisa yechinomwe uye aive wechipiri muchikwata chechikwata padivi pemumwe wake Alberto Salazar. Akamhanya 3000-metre steeplechase pa1978 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships uye akasvika panzvimbo yechinomwe. Zvisinei, akahwina mukombe wake wokutanga wenyika gore iroro, achidaro munhangemutange yeawa imwe chete.