American Keira D’Amato smashes GC and US half marathon records on the Gold Coast

An American mother has blitzed a Gold Coast and US record in a stunning performance as records tumbled on day one of the bumper Gold Coast Marathon weekend. Catch all the action

The female winner of the Gold Coast Marathon weekend’s ASICS Half Marathon managed to blitz the 13-year-old course record despite “getting lost” in the “drop dead beautiful” scenery.

American distance specialist Keira D’Amato ran one hour six minutes and 39 seconds on Saturday morning to shatter the old course record of an hour and nine minutes.

The mother of two who once held the United State marathon record also set a new American half marathon record in the process, beating it by 13 seconds.

An emotional D’Amato said at the finish: “I’m just so thankful I’m here for this race. I’m so appreciative the race allowed me to come out, they set me up with a phenomenal pacer he made it a lot easier. He was so smooth, so consistent.”

She felt grateful to be at the start line after a marathon travel stint from the United States.

“I left the States on Sunday - with flight delays and cancellations I didn’t arrive till Thursday,” she said. “It was a lot of travel but I felt so fortunate that I made it.

Keira D’Amato takes out the Gold Coast Marathon weekend ASICS half marathon on Saturday in a new record time - also besting the US record on Saturday in Southport. Picture: Richard Gosling

“The race is perfect, it’s super flat, the scenery is just drop dead beautiful – I found myself getting lost in the sunrise and the water. This is one of the best courses I have ever competed in.”

Gold Coast Marathon 2023 winner of Female Half Marathon, American mother of two Keira D’Amato, setting a new US half marathon record in Southport. Picture: Richard Gosling

As for taking out two records, D’Amato said: “I’m almost 40, I quit running for a while (seven years) and I had two kids.

“I feel like on paper I’m not who you would expect to break the record.”

D’Amato said she was humbled by crowd support course side : “As an American I can’t believe how many people said ‘Go Keira,’ along the course.

“Every time I heard that I felt so powerful so I’m just so appreciative.”

D’Amato said her mind was on one thing with 10km to go: Tim Tam’s.

Gold Coast Marathon ASICS half marathon winner Keira D’Amato (centre) - who ran a Gold Coast and United States half marathon record - with runner up Leanne Pompeani (left) and third placegetter Ellie Pashley. Picture: Richard Gosling

“I was just thinking about how good they would be and if I run faster I can get to them quicker,” she laughed.

Events Queensland CEO Ben Mannion said D’Amaro’s effort smashing the Gold Coast half marathon course and US half marathon record was one of the runs of the year.

“That was one of the top 20 (long-distance) runs of this year. We want her to go back to America and talk to all the running bodies and all the people at events and say the Gold Coast is the place to be,” he said.

“We want people like her to represent the Gold Coast Marathon weekend.”

Gold Coast ASICS Half Marathon winner and new record holders Keira D’Amato: “I feel like on paper I’m not who you would expect to break the record. Picture: Richard Gosling

Reigning mens ASICS Half Marathon winner Brett Robinson smashed his 2022 win time by a whole minute.

The defending champion crossed the finish line in 1:02:16 but said he was hard pressed by Japan’s Keijiro Mogi, the runner-up.

“That was really hard,” the Australian Olympian said.

“Credit to Keijiro – he was strong the whole way. I was not feeling great and he was really putting pressure on me.”

“We had a really quality field and having international athletes really improves the race – and that finishing straight – there’s not many better finishes in the world.”

Gold Coast Marathon 2023 5km fun run winners Harrison Martinenko (left) and Olga Firsova. Picture: Richard Gosling

The 5km male winner Gold Coaster Harrison Martinenko set a new record of 14 minutes and 32 seconds, picking up the $500 winner’s cheque plus a bonus $500 for setting a new benchmark.

“Glad to get the win and course record, makes it even better.”

The 5km female winner, Olga Firsova of the Sunshine Coast, also set a new women’s record with 15 minutes and 42 seconds. She avenged coming second last year.

“I’m very happy – I beat the goal. And after last year I felt like I had unfinished business.”