Keira D’Amato, an American University alumna, made history Sunday by setting the record for the American women’s marathon with a time of 2:19:12 at the Chevron Houston Marathon.
The 26-mile marathon, a tradition in the city of Houston, returned to its regular format for the 2022 race after being forced to go virtual in 2021.
D’Amato shattered previous record-holder Deena Kastor’s long-standing record of 2:19:36 by 24 seconds in an effort that required an immeasurable amount of grit, heart and training.
“I had to minimize it in my head to make it achievable and take off the pressure,” D’Amato told the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
D’Amato graduated from AU in 2006 as one of the most decorated student-athletes in the school’s history. D’Amato participated in track and field as well as cross-country during her time at AU, and she was an 11 time Patriot League individual champion, four-time All-American, six-time Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year and made All-NCAA four consecutive years.
D’Amato was named to the Patriot League 25th Anniversary Team in 2016 for her strong contributions in both academics and athletics at AU.
D’Amato was showered with praise from all around following her record-breaking run, especially from fellow AU alumni. Ed O’Keefe, the Senior White House Correspondent with CBS News and a member of the AU class of 2005, took to Twitter to congratulate D’Amato on her accomplishment.
