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Binghamton University Athletics

Emily Wins 5,000 Title
Milesplit

Mackay wins USATF Outdoor 5,000 Championship

| By: David O’Brian (dobrian@binghamton.edu)
Emily Mackay

Bearcat alum earns pair of medals, Holt competes in men’s 1,500 final

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Emily Mackay '21 has collected countless honors during both her college and professional careers. Her latest accolade is that of a United States Track & Field (USATF) Outdoor National Champion.

On Sunday afternoon at Icahn Stadium - and before a national television audience watching on NBC - the Binghamton alum captured the women's USATF Outdoor 5,000 title. The victory capped a stellar weekend for Mackay, who also finished a close third in the women's 1,500 on Saturday afternoon.

In addition to Mackay, Eric Holt '18 represented Binghamton in the men's 1,500 final on Saturday. He placed 10th overall with a time of 3:51.26. The winning time of 3:50.27 was turned in by Nathan Green. This weekend marked the second year in a row that Holt has advanced to the 1,500 finals at the USATF Outdoor National Meet.

For much of the women's 5,000 race on Sunday, Mackay hung with the lead pack, which eventually dwindled down to her and Shelby Houlihan heading into the final lap. The two runners were neck-and-neck until Mackay out kicked Houlihan in the final straightaway. Her time was a season-best 14:55.82 while Houlihan finished in 14:57.88. Taking the bronze medal was Parker Valby (15:06.25) who held the lead for most of the race and like Mackay, runs professionally for New Balance.

For Mackay, it marked her second career USATF championship. Back on Feb. 28, she was first in the 3,000 at the national indoor meet. Mackay then went on to earn the silver medal in the 3,000 at the World Championships on March 21 in Torun, Poland.

The victory on Sunday was all the more sweet for Mackay after coming up just short in the 1,500 finals the day before. In that race, Mackay, Nikki Hiltz and Addy Wiley broke away from the field with 400 meters to go. The three runners crossed the finish line within milliseconds of each other. In the end, however, Hiltz got the win with a time of 4:06.92 followed by Wiley (4:06.96) and Mackay (4:06.98). As she lunged across the finish line, Mackay lost her balance and fell to the track.

On Sunday afternoon in the 5,000, however, Mackay was upright as she broke the tape and threw her arms in the air in celebration. She then was presented with the gold medal and ushered towards a post-race interview with NBC.

"Today was a little bit of a redemption tour after yesterday," she said. "I'm super proud of how I raced yesterday but it wasn't the outcome I wanted. It definitely lit a bigger fire under me and I was so excited to come back and have another shot at a US title. It means so much to me. I have been working on my kick and it paid off today."

Watching the NBC broadcast on Sunday was Mackay's coach at Binghamton University, Annette Acuff. The two of them have stayed in close touch since Mackay began her professional career four years ago.

"What a dominant performance by Emily today," Acuff said afterwards. "She continues to showcase her strength and versatility as a world class distance runner.  We are so happy and proud of her as always. " 

After graduating from Binghamton University as a five-time United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-American, Mackay's professional career has rapidly ascended. In 2024, she qualified for the Paris Olympics in the 1,500 along with Hiltz and Elle St. Pierre. Mackay then advanced to the semifinal round. In addition, Mackay earned the bronze medal in the 1,500 at both the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile and the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. 

Mackay grew up in nearby Endicott, N.Y. and graduated from Union-Endicott High School in 2016. During her prep career, she set the New York State (NYS) Section 4 track & field records in both the 1,500 and the 3,000. Mackay ran for Oregon State during her freshman year of college before transferring home to Binghamton University prior to the 2017-18 academic year. Five years later, she was the Bearcats' most accomplished NCAA Division I athlete. In addition to her five USTFCCCA All-America honors, Mackay was also a two-time College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-American, a six-time America East Conference track & field champion and two-time conference cross country champion.  

In March 2024, Mackay returned to her alma mater as the featured speaker for the Binghamton Division of Athletics' annual "Celebrating Women's Athletics Luncheon."






 
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