Patti Dillon Receives 2023 Abebe Bikila Award

Patti Dillon approaching the finish of the 1980 New York City Marathon, where she became the first American woman to break 2:30. Photo by Getty Images.

Patti Dillon (née Catalano) is the recipient of the 2023 Abebe Bikila Award, presented annually by NYRR to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the sport of distance running.

Patti was one of the most dominant American road runners of the 1970s and 80s, having held the marathon world record and American records at nearly every distance. She was the first American woman to run a marathon under 2:30, which she did in finishing second at the 1980 New York City Marathon in 2:29:33. She placed second at the Boston Marathon three years in a row (1979–81) with a best time of 2:27:51.

A member of the Mi’kmaq nation, Patti directs Wings of America’s elite athlete program, which supports the athletic talent and cultural heritage of Indigenous athletes. She shares the story of her heritage and her historic 1980 race in New York here.