Former Union-Endicott Tiger and Binghamton University alum Emily Mackay set her sights on a new goal, achieved it, and then rewrote history in the process, just for good measure.

The local Olympian took home her first national title at the United States Track & Field (USATF) Indoor Championships, held at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island on Saturday.

While placing first in the women’s 3,000-meter race, Mackay also set a new record at the meet, with a time of 8:30.01 — a new standard that is now (in track terms) miles away from the previous 8:40.45 record held by Lynn Jennings, who is known to be one of the most decorated long-distance runners in U.S. sports history.  

The last time Mackay raced in the USATF Indoor Championships was in 2023, when she finished with a time of 8:50.14 and placed third.

Mackay’s tenacity throughout the race and grit within the final bend pushed her past her former training partner, two-time champion and 2024 World Indoor gold medalist, Elle St. Pierre, who finished less than a second behind her with a time of 8:30.07.

The record finish has also moved Mackay to No. 9 on the all-time U.S. indoor performer list and has qualified her for the 21st World Athletics Indoor Championships, which are set to take place in Kuyavia-Pomerania, Poland, from March 20 to March 22.

Mackay has previously won the bronze medal in the World Indoor Championships; won a bronze medal in the Pan-American Games (2023); has been named the National Indoor champion (2024) and the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) champion (2025), and now adds her first national title to her professional career list.

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Binghamton native and Olympian Emily Mackay breaks 3000m indoor record

Reporting by Aniya Sumner, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin

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