Keira D'Amato

Keira D'Amato (born Keira Carlstrom[1] on April 21, 1984) is a professional runner for the United States of America. She is the American women's record holder in the marathon with her time of 2:19:12 at the 2022 Houston Marathon.[2] She is also the American record holder for the women's-only 10 mile distance.[3]

Keira D'Amato
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Born (1984-04-21) April 21, 1984
Oakton, Virginia
Sport
Country United States
SportWomen's athletics
ClubNike
Teamformerly American University
Turned pro2021
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)

Biography

D'Amato ran for American University from 2002 to 2006, where she was a four-time All-American and 11-time Patriot League champion, competing in cross-country, indoor track, and outdoor track. She was also named an Academic All-American in 2006.[4]

After a series of injuries in her post-collegiate career, D'Amato took a hiatus from the sport in 2009. She became involved in cycling and adult soccer, and served as marketing director for a local Virginia running store chain.[5] In 2016, she made her return to competitive running, and began to compete in longer distances. She ran a marathon with her husband in 2017, completing the course in 3:14:54.[2] At the 2017 Richmond Marathon later that year, she cut her time down to 2:47:00.[6] With a time of 2:34:55 at the 2019 Berlin Marathon,[7] she qualified for the 2020 US Olympic Women's Marathon Trials, where she finished 15th with a then-personal best of 2:34:24.[8]

In November 2020, D'Amato set the American record for the 10-mile women's-only race in 51:23, breaking the previous record set in 2014 by Janet Cherobon-Bawcom.[8] Following further success at multiple distances that year, she signed a sponsorship deal with Nike in February 2021.[5] On January 16, 2022, she ran the American women's record in the marathon at the Houston Marathon, finishing in 2:19:12 and taking 24 seconds off the previous American record set by Deena Kastor in 2006.[9]

Personal life

After graduating from American University, D'Amato began a career in real estate. She currently resides in Virginia with her husband and two children.[5] On her return to competitive running, D'Amato stated, "I feel like I have nothing to lose. I have another life outside of this, which is very important to me. And I feel that gives me a lot of freedom to take risks and not be afraid of failing. ... Everything that I wish I would have [done in round 1], I'm now doing it in the second phase. I'm taking it really seriously, but I also am having more fun than I’ve ever had in my whole life.”[5]

References
  1. Miles, Brandon (20 April 2020). "Workout Wednesday: Keira D'Amato". Milesplit. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  2. Minsberg, Talya (19 January 2022). "Keira D'Amato and Sara Hall Rewrite the Distance Running History Books". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  3. Snider-McGrath, Ben (24 November 2020). "Keira D'Amato runs 51:23, smashes U.S. women-only 10-mile record". Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  4. "Patriot League 20th Anniversary Profiles: Keira Carlstrom". 8 October 2010. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  5. Dutch, Taylor (9 February 2021). "After a Breakthrough Year, Keira D'Amato Finally Gets a Pro Contract". Runner's World. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  6. Erickson, Andrew (March 2021). "The Shoe Still Fits". American University Magazine. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  7. "35-year-old mother of two runs 15:04 5K". 15 June 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  8. Stubbs, Roman (26 November 2020). "A Virginia real estate agent hopes her 10-mile record is a springboard to the Olympics". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 15 December 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  9. "Keira D'Amato breaks American women's marathon record". OlympicTalk. 16 January 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
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