Dan Vassallo
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 28 April 1985 Wilmington, Massachusetts, United States |
| Sport | |
| Country |  United States |
Events | Marathon, half marathon |
| College team | Colby College |
| Team | Central Mass Striders |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best | Marathon: 2:17:28 |
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.
Early life
[edit]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.[2] 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.[3]
Career
[edit]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.[4]
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.[1] On a hot and sunny day in Southern California, Vassallo finished the Trials in 41st place.[5]
At the 2018 Boston Marathon, Vassallo finished 10th in cold, wet, and windy conditions.[6] Later that year, he ran a time of 2:17:27 at the California International Marathon, which qualified him for the 2020 United States Olympic Trials (marathon) in Atlanta.[7]
Vassallo placed 100th of 235 men at the 2020 Olympic Trials Marathon on a hilly course through downtown Atlanta.[8]
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.[9]
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.[10] Despite dealing with an injury in the lead up to the Olympic Trials in Orlando, FL,[11] Vassallo was able to complete the Trials in sunny, hot conditions, placing 129th of 200 men.[11]
Vassallo is one of 13 American men who finished the three U.S. Olympic Trials marathons from 2016-2024.[5][8][11]
Vassallo won the Mid Winter Classic in 2014 and 2025.[12]
Vassallo was the top Masters finisher (age 40+) at the 2025 Grandma's Marathon with a time of 2:29:35.[13] He was the ninth Masters finisher and 73rd overall at the 2025 New York City Marathon.[14]
Personal
[edit]As of 2024, Vassallo lives in Peabody, Massachusetts with his wife and works as a corporate controller.[15]
References
[edit]- 1 2 Bayliss, Kelly (2014-11-23). "And We Have a Philly Marathon Winner". NBC Philadelphia. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
- ↑ Thombs, Palmer (2020-02-18). "Vassallo Ready for One Final Run". Atlanta 2020 Trials. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
- ↑ "Dan Vassallo Named USATF New England Athlete of the Month for November". USATF New England. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
- ↑ Jordan, Glenn (2022-09-29). "A decade later, course record holder returns to Maine Marathon". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
- 1 2 "2016 Olympic Trials Marathon Results". Flipsnack Results. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
- ↑ "The Top 10 Finishers at the 2018 Boston Marathon". Women's Running. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
- ↑ "2018 CIM Results". Athlinks. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
- 1 2 "2020 Olympic Trials Marathon Results". RTRT.me. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
- ↑ "Baystate Marathon Results". Baystate Marathon. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
- ↑ "McKirdy Micro Marathon Results". Athlinks. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
- 1 2 3 "2024 Olympic Trials Marathon Results". Flipsnack. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
- ↑ "Past Results". Mid Winter 10 Mile Classic. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ↑ "2025 Grandmas Marathon Results". MTEC Results. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
- ↑ "2025 New York City Marathon Results". New York Road Runners. Retrieved 2025-11-06.
- ↑ "Dan Vassallo". Orlando 2024 Trials. Retrieved 2025-06-26.