Personal information | |
---|---|
Born | Boston, Massachusetts, United States | 28 April 1985
Sport | |
Country | ![]() |
Event(s) | Marathon, Half Marathon |
College team | Colby College |
Team | Central 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]
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]
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]
As of 2024, Vassallo lives in Peabody, Massachusetts with his wife and works as a corporate controller. [17]