Anthony Famiglietti
Anthony Famiglietti, Class of 1996, was born in Port Jefferson, and grew up less than a half-mile from Patchogue-Medford High School. He is an internationally renowned professional track and field athlete who specializes in middle distance running events. He has run some of the fastest times in U.S. history in multiple events including the 5K, 10K and steeplechase. In 2007 he ran the fastest 5K ever by an American on U.S. soil with a time of 13:11.93. His best event is the 3000-meter steeplechase, a distance hurdle event requiring the leg speed of a miler coupled with the stamina and endurance of a marathoner. His considerable skill in this specialty carried him to compete on four U.S. World Championship teams and two Olympic teams.
Famiglietti’s roots run very deep in the Medford community, as he spent countless hours running laps on the PMHS track as well as neighborhood streets to develop his superb ability. The familiarity and comfort he gained from daily trips to the PM track just steps from home helped him foster a fearlessness and tenacious front-running racing style that ultimately became his trademark.
Anthony’s athletic ascension started early during his high school years, beginning with two conference and county championship cross-country titles and most notably a New York State Championship win on the track in the 3200 meters. He finished out his senior year undefeated.
He began his collegiate career on an athletic scholarship at Appalachian State University, where he earned Freshman of the Year honors for his top-five finish in the Southern Conference Cross-Country Championship. After winning back-to-back Southern Conference titles in the 3000-meter steeplechase and 5000-meters on the track for Appalachian State, Anthony transferred to the University of Tennessee to compete in the prestigious Southeastern Conference. At Tennessee he attained All-Conference honors as well as Scholar Athlete awards, all while serving as team captain. He wrapped up his collegiate career earning three NCAA All-American honors and capped off a successful senior year with a seventh-pace finish at the 2000 Olympic Trials in the 3000-meter steeplechase.
Anthony’s professional racing career started with a bang in the summer of 2000 while racing for Adidas. He won gold at the World University Games in China at his first international championship meet. He went on to become a six-time U.S. champion with wins in the steeplechase, 5K, 8K and 15K. He was also a seven-time U.S. runner-up in these same events. His racing style, versatility and range of ability forever changed the sport by influencing a new crop of professional racers to reach beyond event specialization and attain higher levels of ability and accomplishment internationally.
Anthony lived and trained on the Upper East Side of Manhattan for much of his professional career. He currently lives in Mooresville, NC with his wife of eight years and their three-year-old son. He owns and operates an athletic apparel brand called Reckless Running, and he occasionally competes in track and road events as an ambassador for the brand. This spring will mark his final season of track and field as a professional racer before he officially retires.
Anthony Famiglietti’s personal best times:
- Mile — 3:55
- 3000m — 7:41
- 5000m — 13:11
- 8000m — 22:26
- 10,000m — 27:37
- Half marathon — 1:03