Mackay discusses running career at BU luncheon
VESTAL, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Binghamton University alumna and Endicott native Emily Mackay received a hero's welcome today at her alma mater.
Mackay, who competed in the 1500-meter race at last summer's Paris Olympics, was the guest speaker at BU's 20th annual Celebrating Women in Athletics Luncheon.
Mackay was an accomplished runner at Union-Endicott High School before receiving a scholarship to attend Oregon State. But after a freshman year filled with injuries and homesickness, she decided to return to Endicott, transfer to BU and join the cross-country team as a walk-on.
During her speech, Mackay talked about how it took some time to regain her passion for running and connect with her new teammates who lived together on or off campus while she was living at home.
She credits her BU coach Annette Acuff for helping her to believe that she could be a professional athlete as well as words of inspiration from the 2019 luncheon featuring legendary marathon runner Joan Benoit.
'That was right around the time when I started taking running more seriously. Listening to her speak at the Women's Luncheon was very inspiring to me. That's honestly almost part of the beginning of my story, listening to Joan Benoit speak here at Binghamton University,' said Mackay.
A new award for community engagement was presented to Kim Myers of Vestal for her creation of the program 'Coaching Her Future,' an initiative aimed at training coaches on the different needs of female athletes.
Mackay currently lives in Boston where she is training for the World Championships in September with the ultimate goal of qualifying for and medaling at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
On Tuesday, Mackay will visit her elementary and high school in the U-E School District.
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