"Fam" to make brand debut at 2009 USA Cross Country Championships presented by Saucony

Saucony, Inc., a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel, today announced the signing of two-time U.S. Olympian Anthony Famiglietti to a multi-year endorsement contract. Famiglietti, the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials champion, competed for the U.S. in the 3,000 meter steeplechase at both the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Famiglietti, whose versatility extends to the roads as well, is the 2007 USA 8K and 2006 and 2008 USA 5K champion. In 2007, Famiglietti, known to the running world as "Fam," ran the fastest 5,000 meters ever by an American on U.S. soil (13:11.93).

"I'm very excited to join the Saucony family and represent a brand that is both inspiring and authentic," said Famiglietti, named the number one ranked steeplechaser in the U.S. in 2008 by Track & Field News. "Based upon the experience I've had training in their footwear and apparel, it's obvious that Saucony truly appreciates the technical needs of the performance runner at every level. The brand's commitment to inspiring every runner, on every run, on every day is one that I'm honored to share," added Famiglietti.

"We are all very excited about the addition of Fam to the Saucony brand and family," said Richie Woodworth, president of Saucony. "Our values and commitment to product innovation and excellence are shared by Fam, both as an athlete and as a person. Fam, as all our athletes, is more than a product spokesperson: He inspires us in our relentless pursuit of creating the best running shoes and apparel on the planet and will be a valued partner in that effort," added Woodworth.

Famiglietti's first competition in a Saucony uniform will be at the 2009 USA Cross Country Championships, presented by Saucony, on February 7th in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He then plans to continue his progression as an athlete aiming at American records on the track in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters this spring as well as debuting in the marathon in the near future.

Famiglietti (30) graduated from Patchogue-Medford High School in Long Island, New York. He attended Appalachian State University and the University of Tennessee, where he graduated in 2000. At Appalachian State, Famiglietti was 1996 Southern Conference Freshman of the year in Cross Country and 1997 Southern Conference Cross Country Runner of the Year runner-up. On the track, he was 1998 Southern Conference Champion in both the steeplechase and the 5,000 meters. In 1998, he transferred to Tennessee, where he placed 11th at the SEC Cross Country Championships and 75th at the NCAA Cross Country Championships. In 1999, he was 6th at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the steeplechase, and 8th in his heat at the U.S. Championships. In 2000, his final year of college, Famiglietti was 2nd at the SEC Championships, 4th at the NCAA Championships, and 7th at the U.S. Olympic Trials, where he ran an 8:25.37.

Since 1998, Famiglietti has followed the coaching advice of George Watts, head cross country and distance coach at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. For his altitude training program, Famiglietti consults with Jack Daniels, Ph.D., a world- renowned authority on distance running.

Famiglietti currently lives and trains in Knoxville, Tennessee. When not running, he is an artist with a special interest in abstract expressionism and composing music.

For more information, go to www.saucony.com.