Deena Michelle Kastor (born Deena Michelle Drossin on February 14, 1973 in Waltham, Massachusetts) is an American long distance runner. She holds American records in the marathon, half-marathon, and numerous road distances. Kastor's most noted accomplishment is winning the bronze medal in the women's marathon at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.
Kastor is an alumna of Agoura High School located in Agoura Hills, California. She ran collegiately for the University of Arkansas.
In high school, Deena won three California state cross country titles, and two track state titles. She also competed in the Foot Locker national cross country championships all four years of her prep career. At the University of Arkansas, Deena was a 4-time SEC Champion as well as an 8-time All-American. Post-collegiately, Deena found great success first under Coach Joe Vigil, and now with Coach Terence Mahon (coach of the Mammoth Lakes, California training group).
Kastor has twice been runner up in the World Cross Country Championships.
She holds U.S. records in the following events:
Kastor formerly held the following record:
In recent years, Kastor has shifted her focus toward the marathon distance. After winning the bronze medal at the 2004 Olympic Marathon, she won the 2005 Chicago Marathon. In 2006, she won the London Marathon, setting an American record. She placed sixth at the 2006 New York City Marathon and fifth at the 2007 Boston Marathon.
In April 2008, Kastor won the U.S. women's Olympic marathon trials in Boston, Massachusetts. She finished with an unofficial time of 2:29:35 after overtaking competitor Magdalena Lewy Boulet in mile 23. Kastor ran most of the race from behind, while Lewy Boulet built a commanding lead very early on, running alone for most of the marathon. With some 10 miles to go, Kastor made a move to catch up to Lewy Boulet, stringing out the field. Lewy Boulet took second place in 2:30:19.
In August 2008, Kastor pulled out of the women's marathon at the Beijing Olympics with a foot injury. At about the 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) mark, she dropped to one knee, holding her right foot. She attempted to rise, but dropped back down again and was forced to withdraw from the race.[1]
Kastor is a featured subject in the 2007 marathon documentary, Spirit of the Marathon, which follows her victory at the 2005 Chicago Marathon.[2]
Kastor was selected as the top women's marathoner in the world in 2006 by Track and Field News magazine.
Among honors Kastor has received from the USATF are:
Kastor has managed to be among the best female runners in the US since 1993, as evidenced by her rankings from Track and Field News.[7] [8]
| Year | Event | World rank | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 5000 m | - | 9th |
| 1997 | 10,000 m | - | 4th |
| 1998 | 5000 m | - | 7th |
| 1999 | 5000 m | - | 2nd |
| 10,000 m | - | 1st | |
| 2000 | 5000 m | - | 4th |
| 3000 m | - | 4th | |
| 10,000 m | - | 1st | |
| 2001 | 5000 m | - | 4th |
| 3000 m | - | 3rd | |
| Marathon | - | 1st | |
| 10,000 m | - | 1st | |
| 2002 | Marathon | - | 1st |
| 5000 m | - | 4th | |
| 10,000 m | - | 1st | |
| 3,000 m | - | 7th | |
| 2006 | Marathon | 1st | 1st |