The USATF Indoor is being held at Ocean Breeze on Staten Island. Jeff Benjamin, the Mayor of Staten Island running, is reaching out to several athletes about the Indoor Champs and checking on their fitness and focus.
Emily MacKay is the third fastest Women in U.S. EVER over 1,500 meters (3:55.90). Emily has PBs of 1:57.87 at 800m, 3:55.90 for 1,500 meters, 4:22.43 for the mile, 8:35.35 for the 3,000m and 14:45.81 for the 5,000 meters.
Emily is also the World Indoor bronze medalist for the 1,500 meters from Glasgow 2024. Jeff Benjamin reached out and asked her 4 questions. Emily is sponsored by New Balance and is coached by Pete Julian of Union Athletic Club.
1) How’s your training coming along?
Emily MacKay: “Training has been going great, I feel the fittest I’ve ever been this time of year and also the healthiest and happiest! So that being said, I’m very excited to see what that means for this coming year.”
Emily Mackay in center, USATF Outdoor Track & Field Championships Eugene, Oregon, USA July 31 – August 3, 2025, photo by Kevin Morris
2) I’d think after indoor season, this is an outdoor track year to pursue records and personal bests – do you agree?
Emily MacKay: “The goals for this year are to race as much as possible and run personal bests in every event.”
Emily Mackay, New Balance Indoor Grand Prix Track & Field meet February 2, 2025 Boston,MA USA, photo by Kevin Morris
ay: “I always enjoy competing at Ocean Breeze; it’s definitely nostalgic because I raced there a bit in college. I’ve had some pretty bad races there in the past, so it’s fun to be back there as a pro chasing new goals.”
New Balance Indoor Grand Prix Track & Field meet February 2, 2025 Boston, MA, USA
4) With all the changes in the sport throughout more than a decade of you competing – super shoes, nutrition, bi-carb – how do you still stay sharp & motivated?
Emily MacKay: “I just focus on myself and being the best version of myself that I can be every day. That mindset keeps me grounded and preserves my love for the sport.”
Nikki Hiltz, US, silver, Freywanyi Halu, gold, Emily MacKay, bronze, W1500m, WIC Glasgow, photo by Dan Vernon Photo for World Athletics
Jeff Benjamin has written for 30 years for American Track and Field along with RunBlogRun. The Former President of the Staten Island AC & Chair of the Staten Island Running Association was the 5th man scorer for his Susan Wagner High School NYC XC City Championship team. Also a member of the College of Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame for XC, Jeff currently serves as the LDR Chairman for USATF NY. A passionate (or fanatical) follower of the Sport, some of Jeff's subjects have included Sebastian Coe, Emma Coburn, Eamonn Coghlan, Matt Centrowitz, Jim Spivey, Galen Rupp, Joe Newton, Tom Fleming, Ajee’ Wilson, Bill Rodgers, Allan Webb, Abel Kiviat, Jordan Hassay, Marty Liquori, Caster Semenya, Rod Dixon, Carl Lewis and Jim Ryun as well as Book Reviews and articles covering meets and races in the Northeast U.S.
