Second Fastest Woman In U.S. History Will Run NYC Marathon

NEW YORK CITY — The second-fastest woman in American history will be among the 50,000 runners during the 2022 New York City Marathon, organizers said.

Professional runner Keira D'Amato will toe the iconic marathon's starting line Nov. 6, according to New York Road Runners, who organize the race.

D'Amato said the race won't just be a capper for a record-breaking year.

"November 6 also happens to be my son’s birthday, and it feels powerful that on the eighth anniversary of becoming a mother, I get to race my first-ever TCS New York City Marathon," she said in a statement. "It’s time to celebrate."

The TCS New York City Marathon will return to full capacity this year for the first time since the coronavirus struck.

The 26.2-mile race was canceled altogether in 2020, and ran at limited, 25,000-runner capacity last year.

“This race is the strongest proof of New York’s unrelenting spirit and determination, and we are proud to announce that, this year, we’ll be back at full capacity," Mayor Eric Adams said when the race's full return was announced in February.

The course will take runners through all five boroughs starting in Staten Island and ending in Central Park.

For D'Amato, who runs with Team United States, the marathon will end a year that began with her running 2:19:22 in the Houston Marathon during January — an American record.

The record stood until October, when Emily Sisson broke it at the Chicago Marathon.

Still, D'Amato has several other achievements to be proud of — among others, she's a three-time national champion, holds the fastest time in the 10 Mile and this year broke a 24-year-old course record to win the USATF 20K Championships, according to the New York Road Runners.

But at least two other top runners won't be able to compete in the New York marathon this year.

Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir — who is the only athlete, whether man or woman, to have won the Olympic, TCS New York City and Boston marathons — had to withdraw due to injury, the Road Runners said.

And Elkanah Kibet, who finished as the top American and in fourth place overall at the TCS New York City Marathon last year, withdrew after she was called up to serve overseas with the U.S. Army, organizers said.

More information about the TCS New York City Marathon can be found here.