Running at Home, Fam Wants Fast 5k By David Monti (c) 2007 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved
NEW
YORK (31-May) -- With only about two kilometers separating his home
from Ichan Stadium on Randall's Island, Anthony
Famiglietti said today
that being able to race on his practice track truly provided the
comforts of home.
"The feeling is more of comfort," said the 28
year-old artist and steeplechaser who will compete in the 5000m at
Saturday's Reebok Grand Prix.
During the week when he goes out
to the stadium to practice, he has the entire place to himself. He
said that he may see a staff member once in a while, but that's it.
The chance to perform with the stands full of spectators, including
his grandparents who live in the Bronx, is providing him with extra
motivation.
"It really makes me want to perform well," he said.
Famiglietti
--universally known as "Fam"-- faced a tough choice in connection with
the Reebok meet. He could have run the mile and improved on the
personal best of 3:55.71 he set at the same meeting last year. But he
decided on the 5-K because meet director Mark Wetmore has set up the
race to be the first sub-13:00 ever run on U.S. soil. Famiglietti, who
ran a 13:11.93 personal best at the Mt. SAC Relays last month, saw this
as a very good chance to improve his time and maybe flirt with the 13
minute barrier.
"It was a difficult choice," said Famiglitti
about deciding on the 5000m. "I've been running very well in the 5000
meters. The quality of the field gives me an opportunity to go after
it." He added: "I'm prepared for anything."
Surprisingly,
Famiglietti has has emerged as one of America's most versatile distance
runnners. Last year he set personal bests at the 1500m (3:35.83), mile
(3:55.71), 5000m (13:24.47, since surpassed this year), and 10,000m
(27:37.74). This year he won the USA 8 km road running championships
here in Central Park, and lowered his 3000m (7:41.27) and 5000m
personal bests.
But what about the steeplechase?
"I
think the steeplechase will be the event I focus on," he said of the
U.S. Athletics Championships next month in Indianapolis. "I really
think the steeplechase will be it."
His best time in the steeple
came in 2004 when he finished second at the U.S. Olympic Trials in
8:17.91. Falling in his heat in the Olympic Games, he was a little
down on the event. However, he thinks he's ready to attack it this
year.
"I think I've got the my fire back in the steeplechase," he said.
However,
Famiglietti has not ruled out shifting to the 5000m if the Reebok race
goes particularly well. In a telephone interview later he said," If
Saturday goes unbelievably well... maybe I'll go that route."
Doubling
in the steeplechase and the 5000m at the U.S. Championships would be
difficult. The steeplechase prelim is just four hours and 20 minutes
before the 5000m final on Friday, June 22. It is always possible that
the first round of the steeple could be eliminated, which would provide
Famiglitti another option. He said he planned to enter both events.