Dan Vassallo

Last updated
Dan Vassallo
Personal information
Born (1985-04-28) 28 April 1985 (age 39)
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Sport
CountryFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Event(s) Marathon, Half Marathon
College team Colby College
TeamCentral Mass Striders
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s) Marathon : 2:17:28
Half Marathon : 1:06:52
10 miles : 50:02

Dan Vassallo is an American distance runner who specializes in the marathon. He competed collegiately for Colby College before shifting to marathon racing. Vassallo is a two-time winner of the Philadelphia Marathon (2010 and 2014), [1] and he competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon in 2016, 2020, and 2024. [2]

Contents

Early Life

Vassallo grew up in Wilmington, Massachusetts in a family of soccer players. His father was an All-American player at Westfield State University. A soccer coach of Vassallo’s encouraged him to start running competitively, which he did in his sophomore year at Wilmington High School. [3] He went on to run cross country and track at Colby College, where he set a school record in the 10,000 meters by running 30:52.79. [4]

Career

Vassallo began marathoning immediately after graduating from Colby in 2007, representing the Central Mass Striders. He won the 2007 Maine Marathon in 2:26:54, which broke the previous course record. He was victorious again in 2012, lowering his course record to 2:21:12. [5]

In 2010, he won the Philadelphia Marathon. Vassallo returned four years later to win the 2014 edition in a time of 2:17:28, which qualified him for the 2016 Olympic Trials Marathon in Los Angeles. [6] On a hot and sunny day in Southern California, Vassallo finished the Trials in 41st place. [7]

At the 2018 Boston Marathon, Vassallo notched a 10th place finish in cold, wet, and windy conditions. [8] Later that year, he clocked a time of 2:17:27 at the California International Marathon, which qualified him for the 2020 United States Olympic Trials (marathon) in Atlanta. [9]

Vassallo placed 100th of 235 men at the 2020 Olympic Trials Marathon on a hilly course through downtown Atlanta. [10]

Following the COVID-19 Pandemic, he returned to marathoning at the 2022 Baystate Marathon in Lowell, MA, where he set a new course record time of 2:19:45. [11]

In the fall of 2023, Vassallo qualified for the 2024 United States Olympic Trials (marathon) with a 2:17:39 performance at the McKirdy Micro Marathon in Valley Cottage, NY. [12] Despite dealing with an injury in the lead up to the Olympic Trials in Orlando, FL, [13] Vassallo was able to complete the Trials in sunny, hot conditions, placing 129th of 200 men. [14]

Over the years, Vassallo has competed in several editions of the Cabot Trail Relay as a member of the Maine-iacs team. He holds multiple leg records. [15] [16]

Personal

As of 2024, Vassallo lives in Peabody, Massachusetts with his wife and works as a corporate controller. [17]

References

  1. Bayliss, Kelly (2014-11-23). "And We Have a Philly Marathon Winner". NBC Philadelphia. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  2. "Dan Vassallo - 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon". Orlando 2024 Trials. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  3. Thombs, Palmer (2020-02-18). "Vassallo Ready for One Final Run". Atlanta 2020 Trials. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  4. "Dan Vassallo Named USATF New England Athlete of the Month for November". USATF New England. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  5. Jordan, Glenn (2022-09-29). "A decade later, course record holder returns to Maine Marathon". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  6. Bayliss, Kelly (2014-11-23). "And We Have a Philly Marathon Winner". NBC Philadelphia. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  7. "2016 Olympic Trials Marathon Results". Flipsnack Results. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  8. "The Top 10 Finishers at the 2018 Boston Marathon". Women's Running. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  9. "2018 CIM Results". Athlinks. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  10. "2020 Olympic Trials Marathon Results". RTRT.me. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  11. "Baystate Marathon Results". Baystate Marathon. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  12. "McKirdy Micro Marathon Results". Athlinks. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  13. "Dan Vassallo - 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon". Orlando 2024 Trials. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  14. "2024 Olympic Trials Marathon Results". Flipsnack. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  15. Rolfe, John (2014-05-31). "A fitting end to Ed Rice's running career". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  16. Dickinson, Marley (2023-05-31). "American Team Breaks Cabot Trail Relay Course Record". Canadian Running Magazine. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
  17. "Dan Vassallo - 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon". Orlando 2024 Trials. Retrieved 2025-02-21.