New York NY (March 18)--New York City's own Anthony Famiglietti, 28, won the USA Men's 8K Championships this morning in Central Park in 22:35, outdueling Abdi Abdirahman, 30, of Tuscon, AZ (22:41), and Bolota Asmerom, 28, of Oakland (22:48), in cold, windy conditions.

The race took place 24 hours later than its originally scheduled start time on Saturday morning due to a severe late-season snow and ice storm that raged all day Friday and into Saturday, shutting down airports and highways--and making the Central Park roads unsafe for high-speed racing. Officials of New York Road Runners (NYRR), the hosts of the championships, made the decision at 4:30 a.m. Saturday to postpone the race.

The race took place on a 1.7-mile loop at the southern end of the park, with the runners completing just under three laps. Famiglietti tucked into a pack including Abdirahman, Asmerom, defending USA 8K champion Jorge Torres, Dan Browne, Matt Gabrielson, and others until just after the 5K mark, when he smoothly moved to the front. Abdirahman, Browne, and Asmerom attempted to cover the move but only Abdirahman maintained close contact. "He [Famiglietti] made one move and that was it," said Asmerom.

Famiglietti won $10,000 for first place, plus $1,000 for passing 5K in under 13:50. Abdirahman collected $8,000 ($7,000 for second place plus $1,000 for the 5K incentive), while Asmerom took home $5,000. In fourth place was Browne (22:52), followed by Ed Moran in fifth (22:53). A total of 50 runners finished.

"I train here every day, and it's always great to have the opportunity to run fast in the park," said Famiglietti, who was third in this race in 2005 and 2002 and second in 2004. "My strategy was to run as even as possible. That is one thing I learned in running the 10K [on the track] last year." Famiglietti ran 27:37.74 at the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational in 2006 in his debut at the distance.

The three top finishers, along with about 25 others in the field, have qualified for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men's Marathon, which NYRR will host on Saturday, November 3, the day before the ING New York City Marathon 2007. The trials course will also include multiple Central Park loops and will finish by Tavern on the Green at the ING New York City Marathon finish and the finish of today's race.

Though Abdirahman has already established himself as one of America's top marathoners (2:08:56 for fourth in Chicago last year), Famiglietti and Asmerom have qualified with track times and have yet to run the 26.2-mile marathon distance. Though not yet committing to running the Trials in November, both admit to being intrigued.

"If I could win the marathon trials in Central Park," said Famiglietti, "that would be unbelievable."

Results
(courtesy of Running USA wire)
1. Anthony Famiglietti, NY, 22:35, $11,000*
2. Abdi Abdirahman, AZ, 22:41, $8,000*
3. Bolota Asmerom, CA, 22:48, $5,000
4. Dan Browne, OR, 22:52, $3,500
5. Ed Moran, VA, 22:54, $2,500
6. Max King, OR, 22:57, $1,500
7. Jorge Torres, CO, 23:02, $2,250*
8. Rod Koborsi, DC, 23:04, $900
9. Seth Summerside, AR, 23:07, $800
10. Patrick Tarpy, RI, 23:16, $700
11. Matt Gabrielson, MN, 23:22, $600
12. Pat Gildea, TN, 23:25, $500
13. Scott McGowan, UT, 23:26, $400
14. Blake Boldon, IA, 23:28, $200
15. Marty Rosendahl, MI, 23:30, $150
*includes top 3 at 5K $1000 bonus