Emily Infeld: Olympian, Streak-Holder, and Inspiration for Runners Everywhere
Olympian Emily Infeld recently shared a heartwarming post on Facebook about two significant running streaks in her household—her husband’s incredible 21-year run streak and her own 21-year streak of running sub-5-minute miles. While both accomplishments reflect remarkable consistency and dedication, Emily’s streak is a unique marker of her speed and longevity as an elite runner.
Emily’s sub-5-mile streak began in 2005 during her freshman year of high school when she first broke the coveted barrier. Now, 21 years later, she continues to hit this milestone each year, either in a race or during training sessions. Her most recent achievement came just this week, when she clocked her first sub-5-minute mile of 2025 during a workout.
“Thinking back, I realized that I’ve broken 5 minutes in the mile every year since [2005],” Infeld wrote. “All of that is to say this lil streak made me feel proud, and now that it’s 21 years strong, I want to see how much longer I can continue it!”
Infeld, a 2016 Olympian and world-class distance runner, has a storied career that includes a bronze medal at the 2015 World Championships in the 10,000 meters. Known for her resilience and positive attitude, she’s a celebrated figure in the running community and an inspiration to athletes of all levels.
She also took a moment to celebrate her husband’s run streak, which has lasted an astonishing 21 years. While her own streak involves hitting sub-5-minute miles annually, her husband’s dedication to daily runs highlights another side of the running spectrum: the mental and physical discipline to show up every day, no matter the circumstances.
“Cheers to anyone doing a run streak, even if you don’t realize it yet,” Emily added in her post, offering encouragement to runners pursuing their own goals.
Emily’s story reminds us that streaks, whether built on speed or consistency, are deeply personal and worth celebrating. Her combination of elite-level achievement and her genuine passion for running exemplify what makes the sport so special: there’s room for everyone to find meaning, motivation, and pride in their journey.
As Emily continues her streak of sub-5-minute miles into its 22nd year, she inspires us all to reflect on the milestones—big or small—that keep us moving forward. Whether you’re chasing personal records, daily runs, or simply a love for the sport, Emily’s story proves that every streak starts with a single step.
posted Saturday January 18th
by Boris Baron