New Haven Register
Kwame Colecraft
NEW HAVEN — The 34-year old Bor finished the 20K (12.4 miles) race in 58 minutes, 9 seconds, while D’Amato crossed the finish line in 1:06:25.
Bor’s time set the national championship record. He pulled away from Nathan Martin (58:26), Biya Simbassa (59:29) and Aidan Reed (58:31).
Bor, who lives in Colorado, was a member of the 2016 U.S. Olympic team and competed in the steeple chase. Earlier this season he won the national championship in the 10 mile.
“My training is what got me to this point,” The Kenyan-born Bor said. “I’ve been training for the last twenty years; my coaches do a lot for me, and I have to follow them. We had a good opportunity and I’m excited. I’m excited to be here.”
He credited the good weather (sunny and in the low 70s at race time) for having a positive effect on his performance.
“I was able to just run my race,” Bor said. “I was glad the weather allowed me to stick to the plan.”
The 39-year old D’Amato, from Virginia, also won the Faxon Law New Haven 20K in 2022 when she set the course record. She held off Jess McClain (1:06.50), Savanah Berry (1:07:03) and Annie Frisbie (1:07:19).
This was also an emotional moment for D’Amato, who failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics and parted ways with her long-time coach Scott Razcko in favor of Utah-based coach and former runner Ed Eyestone. She has also come to terms with the fact that she is getting older.
D’Amato said that in the tech room prior to the race, there were several “old jokes.” Although the banter was jovial, she was determined to prove everyone wrong and win the race.
“I’m going to tear up because this really means the world to me,” D’Amato said. “This year has been a little bumpy for me, and I’m not getting any younger.”
She said that training in Utah’s high altitude helped her get back to form.
“I’ve changed my training. I’ve been working on strength, and I’ve been training in altitude,” D’Amato said. “I try to stay as relaxed as possible, so I’m really proud that I was able to finish it off.”
Both earned the Ryan Shay Memorial Award, given annual in honor of the 2004 Faxon Law New Haven Road Race winner who died while participating in the 2007 Olympic Trials Marathon in New York City. The award is presented in recognition of Shay’s hard work and dedication to the sport, as well as longtime support of the New Haven Road Race, which he ran four times.
Connecticut’s top finisher in the male division was West Hartford’s Grant O’Connor, who placed 23rd in 1:02:54. The top state performer in the female division was Glastonbury’s Alyssa Natario, whose time of 1:14:41 was 13th.
Other Connecticut residents to place in the top 25 in the female division were: Fairfield’s Megan Connolly, Wallingford’s Katie Overstrum, Woodbridge’s Laura Pierce, Manchester’s Olivia Mondo, Colchester’s Alayna Bigalbal and East Lyme’s Rebecca Snielson
The race, which drew more than 5,000 participants, also included a 5K, half marathon, half marathon relay and kid’s fun run.
Benjamin MacDonald of Susbury, Mass. won the half marathon in 1:10:01, with Tabea Themann of Hamburg, Virginia winning the female division in 1:18:11. Westport’s Clare Kutnick was second in the division in 1:21:48.
Prospect’s Colin Slavin won the 5K title in 15:31 for the men, while Milford’s Courtney Kitchen won the female division in 17:46.
Complete results at newhavenroadrace.org: https://www.athlinks.com/event/19924/results/Event/1089499/Results