D’Amato’s marathon win earns her USATF Athlete of the Week honors

INDIANAPOLIS — Winning the Houston Marathon with the fastest time ever* by an American woman, Keira D’Amato (Midlothian, Virginia) earned recognition as the second USATF Athlete of the Week award winner for 2022. 

D’Amato, 37, ran away from the field on her way to a 2:19:12 that was 24 seconds faster than the ratified American record of 2:19:36, set at London in 2006 by Deena Kastor. In becoming the first American winner of the women’s marathon at Houston since Kelly Keane in 2005, D’Amato smashed the course record and sliced more than three minutes from her lifetime best. 

Fourth at Chicago last October, D’Amato claimed her first major marathon title with her win at Houston and moved to =22nd on the world all-time list as only the second American woman ever to break the 2:20 barrier. After a lengthy break midway through her running career, she has returned to the elite scene in a big way and moved into the all-time U.S. top 10 in the half marathon in December with a 67:55 personal best run. 

Other top performances from last week:

• Miranda Melville bettered the American record* in the women's 35K race walk with a 3:00:18 to win the USATF Championships.
• Nick Christie won the men's USATF 35K Race Walk Championships by more than 10 minutes in 2:48:48.
• Sara Hall bettered the women's American record* in the half marathon by 10 seconds with a 67:15 that placed her second at Houston.
• Roberta Groner, 44, won the women’s masters competition at the Houston Marathon and her 2:32:02 placed her fourth overall.
• Jacory Patterson set a collegiate best in the men's 300m at Clemson, clocking 31.99 to go to #7 on the all-time world indoor list.
• Shawnti Jackson moved to #2 on the all-time girls' indoor high school list for 300m with a 36.95 at the VA Showcase. She also won the 55m in 6.75, making her =7th on the all-time high school list.
• Will Sumner shattered the high school boys' indoor 500m best with a 1:01.25 at the VA Showcase.

*Pending verification by USATF Records Committee
 
Now in its 21st year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week when there are high-level competitions and features the athlete on USATF.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week. 

2022 Winners: January 10, Alicia Monson; January 17, Keira D’Amato. 

We welcome your nominations! 

To nominate an athlete for USATF Athlete of the Week, please send a detailed email about his/her performance to communications@usatf.org. 

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Photo Credit: Johnny Zhang