MEMBER: Cody Amengual

Name: Cody Amengual
Hometown: West Babylon, NY
High School: West Babylon High School
College: SUNY Cortland, Penn State University
Occupation: Intelligence Analyst at Comcast

Personal Bests
800m: 1:53.20
Mile: 4:14.40
3000M SC: 8:57.50
8k (XC): 25:00
10 Mile: 53:21

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

By: Chris Mateer (10/09/19)

Hey Cody, thanks for taking time to speak with us. Could you tell us a bit about yourself? How did you end up in Philadelphia and competing with PRTC?
I moved to Philly for a job in my field in September of 2017. Upon arrival, I thought it would be a great idea to get back onto the training grind. I believe it was Instagram where I saw Chris Mateer post something Philly related so I hit him up for a run and was thus introduced to PRTC. Battled injury for 1.5 years or so but have been consistent since April 2019, especially after changing to a center city-based job making it easier to meet for groups runs.

Can you tell us how you became a runner? Did a specific event compel you to take on the sport?
I became a runner because my older brother ran. I would do everything he did and try and be the better Amengual. I ran for the middle school cross country team since that’s what he did. We branched off when he chose lacrosse as his primary sport while I went with cross country and track, a difficult decision at the time but one I am very happy about.

Once you began running, how did your career develop? Take us through day one to today.
I took a liking to mid-distance racing in high school and knew it was something I wanted to continue in college. I started out focusing on the 400 hurdles, 600, and 800 but would throw myself in the 1600 and 3200 often in dual meets. I went to Cortland State University and started out on the cross-country team and racing mid-distance during track. The coaching staff thought it would be a good idea to try the steeplechase even though I was very against it. Turns out this would be my favorite race. I ended up racing the steeple throughout most of my college career. I got a stress fracture in my femur after cross-country senior year and had to hang it up for indoor and outdoor. Fortunately, I was able to finish out my eligibility at Penn State and complete my collegiate career at Outdoor Big Tens. I took about 2 years off after that and missed being competitive, so here I am trying to salvage what’s left in the tank.

What would do you consider your most impressive running accomplishment?
I certainly appreciate my Penn Relays debut in 2013 in a loaded D1 Steeplechase Championship. The race was gritty and aggressive, and it was one of my favorite times on the track.

What's your worst PR? Why?
The worst PR is the 3k. Somehow never got around to racing one while in decent shape and there it stands at 8:47, only ten seconds faster than my 3k steeple PR.

Regarding your running future, what are your near and long-term goals?
My short-term goal is to make one of the Club National teams for PRTC and help further deepen this loaded team. Initially I had my eyes set on the B team but quickly understood how deep we are (which is incredible) and realistically decided I can shoot for the C team (I hope). Long-term, I would like to pursue some track PRs and find my way onto the PRTC Record Board in the steeplechase. I am also keen on getting a respectable marathon in at some point in the future.

Can you share with us what you are currently up to professionally? What inspired you to pursue this field?
I am currently working as an Intelligence Analyst for Comcast. I am helping manage the integration of geospatial solutions into our intelligence platforms for monitoring threats affecting our assets and employees on an international scale. I am addicted to travel and find geopolitical conflict and terrorism studies amazingly interesting.

Your reservations at Pizzeria Beddia have become a thing of legend. Do they really have the best pizza in the city? If not, who does?
If you’ve run with me then you know I don’t shut up about pizza – proud Long Islander. Beddia is a cool spot and I have a laughable amount of reservations I made while slightly intoxicated one night. I thought their pizza was among the best in Philly but have recently discovered the talents of Luigi’s and Angelo’s – two that outrank Beddia when taking only pizza into consideration. If you have alternative options you think I should know about, hit the Slack DMs.

If you had to be locked in a room with a grizzly bear and one member of PRTC, who would it be and why?
I would have to go with Flo Donnell. For some reason I think he could really hold is own against a bear having played a more physical contact sport prior to his rapidly escalating running career.

Any non-running related hobbies, hidden skills or talents we may enjoy hearing about?
I play golf as much as I can, always open to go play a round in the Phila area. Each year I try and get a cool hike planned somewhere abroad – current streak of traveling internationally is 7 years. I really enjoy learning different languages and cultures, emphasis on food.

We ran together in the SUNYAC for a while. Your Slack profile picture is us from an award ceremony sometime 7 years ago or something. What's your best memory from those years?
Ah the SUNYAC. The best memory is more of a conglomeration of hating/admiring Geneseo and trying to help Cortland’s team achieve their level of depth. It took four years to get going on that and came to fruition on the day that very picture was taken. The SUNYAC was like a giant, competitive family – always competing and cheering each other on (when not at conference champs). I loved my team and enjoyed racing against a great set of guys, especially SUNY G