2018 graduate breaks four minutes in the mile

Eric Holt ’18 has become the third Binghamton University runner to break four minutes in the mile.

Running in the Mixed Mile at the Monmouth Mile Meet on Aug. 1, Holt clocked a first-place time of 3:58.88. He was one of three runners to break four minutes in the race, along with Rob Napolitano (3:59.02) and Tim Gorman (3:59.03).

Holt, who graduated with a degree in English from Harpur College, now takes his place with Erik van Ingen and Jesse Garn, the other two Binghamton runners who broke four minutes in the mile. Van Ingen hit the mark three times during his collegiate career, with his lifetime best 3:56.37 taking place in the Wannamaker Mile at the 2012 Milrose Games. Garn, meanwhile, ran 3:59.37 at the 2014 Boston University/Valentines Meet.

“Breaking four minutes in the mile has been a life goal of mine,” he said. “It’s great to have finally done it. Moving on, I want to try and continue to be the best runner I can be.”

At Binghamton, Holt’s best time as a Binghamton runner was 4:02.09 at the 2017 Boston University/Valentines Meet. His best time during his collegiate career, however, was 4:00.65 at the Adrian Martinez Classic on June 1, 2017. He was redshirting that season and ran unattached.

Annette Acuff, Holt’s coach during his years at Binghamton (2013-18) was excited to see that he had finally reached one of his lifetime goals.

“I know that breaking four minutes in the mile has been Eric’s biggest goal since high school,” she said. “Breaking the sub-four-minute mark is such an alluring challenge. To know that he has accomplished one of the greatest challenges in running is very special.”

During his career at Binghamton, Holt was a six-time America East track and field champion. His best conference meet came in 2018 when he won the indoor 1,000 title and anchored the first-time distance medley relay.

“I treasure my years at Binghamton,” he said. “Those were some of the best years of my life. Coach Acuff and Strength Coach Lori Gleason’s training has helped show me a different way to train. Back in high school, my training was very one-dimensional. Since college I’ve incorporated everything I’ve learn from Coach Acuff and Lori into my training today.”