FAMIGLIETTI & CRAGG TO TEST THEMSELVES AT HALF-MARATHON DISTANCE
By Chris Lotsbom
(c) 2010 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with permission

NEW YORK (19-Mar) -- The 2010 NYC Half-Marathon will take to the streets here on Sunday for the first time in the spring (the last four editions were held in the summer).  Headlined by Ethiopian star and 25-time world record holder Haile Gebrselassie, the event will set the best of the world against each other for the 21.1 km distance through Central Park and Times Square.  But for two athletes, Sunday marks their debut at the half-marathon distance.

Two-time Olympian Anthony Famiglietti from Knoxville, Tenn., and Irishman Alistair Cragg, also a two-time Olympian and a former European Indoor 3000m champion, will run the half-marathon distance for the first time.  Though both have had very impressive running careers, the two have journeyed to the half-marathon on very different paths. 

Famiglietti, a native of Medford, N.Y., has gone through a tremendous amount of ups and downs before returning to New York for this weekend. 

Growing up on Long Island, "Fam" as he is almost universally known, found running only after his guidance counselor made a deal with the troubled teen.  Skipping school frequently, Famiglietti made a deal with his counselor, who was also the cross country coach, that he would overlook some absences if he tried out for the school's cross country team.  Famiglietti tried out, and ran 4:58 for the mile in his sophomore year, describing it as an incredibly hard task.  After seeing the New York City Marathon, he asked his coach, who was a volunteer for the New York Road Runners, 'What do those marathoners run per mile?'

"Thinking I was big stuff because I broke five minutes, he said they run sub-5 minute pace for 26 miles," said Famiglietti.  "I almost died right there.  Your face just kind of drops and you realize, I will never be that fast, never in a million years be able to run that.  But here I am ten years later."

That event sparked an interest in Famiglietti, who still trains with his college coach George Watts.  After graduating from the University of Tennessee, he went on to succeed in the steeplechase, winning the national title in 2002, and twice making the Olympic team, in 2004 and 2008.  In the Beijing Olympics, he made the final, but suffered an asthma attack midway through the race and finished 13th. 

Since 2008, Famiglietti has moved away from the steeplechase, focusing on longer distances on both the track and the roads. 

In 2009 Famiglietti's only victory was at the national 15-K championships.  Despite several other runner-up finishes, he was ultimately dissatisfied with his season. 

"I learned a lot from last year," said the 31 year-old.  "You always take more from a loss and a failure than you do from a win.  I look at last year as a string of losses and failures."

Saying he doesn't have any time or place goals for Sunday, Famiglietti just wants to compete.  He has spent the past few months training hard, and spending hours in a rented altitude tent in his living room.  He eventually wants to tackle the marathon distance, but does not have a date in mind.

Cragg, 29, is looking at the half-marathon distance as a stepping stone from the track to the marathon.  The Irish record-holder for 5000m and 10,000m came to the United States in 2000 to attend Southern Methodist University, transferring to the University of Arkansas the following year.  Under coach John McDonnell, Cragg won seven NCAA track titles from 3000m to 10,000m.  The 10-K is the longest race he has contested. 

"This is what I want to be doing," said Cragg. "I want to do marathons; it's a move in the right direction, but I am not leaving anything behind."

Running the half-marathon, though, will not keep Cragg from the track.  He will return to the oval later this year, aiming to compete at the European Championships in Barcelona in July.

Now training with the Mammoth Track Club in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., under coach Terrence Mahon, Cragg has gleaned advice from marathoners Deena Kastor and Ryan Hall; advice like when to take in fluids and how to prevent cramping, elements that are not critical when racing on the track. 

"I just follow Deena," he explained.  "She's the old veteran at this," laughed Cragg.

Despite his rookie status going into the half-marathon, Cragg seems ready for the challenge.  As Kastor described her teammate, "He is looking very strong.  I told him to just have fun, and enjoy it."

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The NYC Half-marathon will be broadcast live on UniversalSports.com on Sunday at 7:30 a.m. EST.