Cragg was named the 2003 Trackshark Indoor Athlete of the Year

1. Alistair, looking back at last year you ran unbelievably well. What individual and team accomplishments stand out the most to you?

Thank you, it was a great year. My greatest achievement this past year would have to have been the 3000m at the Boston Indoor Games where I outran the strongest field I have ever faced, and took home a collegiate record while doing so. I went into that race hoping to get pulled along and run a great time but instead I took control and ran the race as if I was expected to win it. I found something new that day, a level of running that I had not achieved before. Over and above all my individual success this past year the greatest feeling would have to have been bringing an NCAA Team title back to Fayetteville. I came to Arkansas to contribute and add to its amazing history and finally this year I can say that I was there when the Hogs were at their best.

2. What has your summer training consisted of and what are you doing now?

After a long Outdoor season and a few aches and pains I took a long time off. I am back in the swing of things now, building on my base up for NCAA Cross [Country Championships] then riding that wave through to Athens hopefully.

3. Your team is ranked 3rd in the country coming into the season. How does the team look right now? What races will your "A" team be running in leading up to Regionals?

We are young. We lost Dan [Lincoln] which is going to be a huge thorn in our sides come Nationals. We signed a great bunch of talents this year and they are all looking great. Being ranked 3rd, hmmm I guess we could say that coach Mac is ranked 3rd, not us. On paper I don't think that the team is that good yet, but as I said we have great talents and things are looking really good! We have so many guys who could break into our top seven before nationals so you'll probably see a lot of experimenting throughout the season.

4. What is the basic philosophy behind your training at Arkansas?

I guess it's the same philosophy behind all great runners. Do the work and reap the rewards at the end of the season. We train hard, and as coach says "there are no short cuts to the top". As far as how we train, we try not to think about it, that's coach Mac's job! I guess we do the mileage in the fall (+/- 80 miles a week) and keep strength work in our program throughout the year.

5. How much does it help you having such great resources and benefits at Arkansas (phenomenal runners, coaches, Nike equipment, facilities, etc.)?

It helps a great deal. Arkansas has had a long history in this sport and the reason why we are able to keep it that way is being able to have great coaches and facilities. They attracted the new High School studs who know that they are getting the opportunity to become phenomenal runners in the later years here at Arkansas. Nike has been great to us, beside our cool gear every season they've always listened when we need help with a particular shoe which we are extremely lucky to have. Life as a runner is great here, and these great resources give us the chance to train without having to worry about the little things.

6. Describe your relationship with Coach MacDonnell. Do you see him as someone coaching you after college?

Coach has given me a life beyond my college days and I can't begin to explain what he means to me. He took me from a depressed foreign boy in this huge system in the US and has given me dreams and a new home here in Fayetteville. I owe my success to him so I am going to make sure that I leave my future in his hand. He is a great coach and I have a great home here. As long as he is involved in the sport I am not going anywhere.

7. Being an Olympic year, you must have Athens in the back of your mind at times. What is your basic racing/training schedule leading up to the Olympics?

Obviously the Olympics will be huge. I have a few levels to jump during this up coming year before I can go there and compete, so my training is going to be intense. I don't think that we are going to change much. You know what they say about things that aren't broken…? Right now I am focused on winning cross, indoor and outdoors and like I've said before I will keep the thinking up to coach Mac.

8. Which track event do you feel you are most competitive in and why?

Haha, hopefully all of them!? Right now my body seems to feel most comfortable in either a 3000m or a 5000m, and I guess that is where my natural strengths lie. My future plans are to use my 1500m/3000m speed and combine that with hard work to be able to produce a great 10,000 meters.

9. Now for a non-running question. Name your favorite to all of these: hobby, movie, dinner, dessert, TV show and CD.

Hobby: I guess fishing - I mean I live in Arkansas?
Movie: I am kind of a weirdo; I like to think when it comes to movies…I guess a Vanilla Sky type movie.
Dinner: My Moms Spaghetti Bolognese, not the spaghetti and tomato sauce you find here in the US.
Dessert: Any kind of Cheesecake!!!
TV show: Nothing in particular, can't stand reality shows but find myself drawn to them for hours???

10. What are your feelings towards all the recent drug scandals that have been occurring within the sport?

I am excited that they are doing something about it. It's crazy to hear what these athletes are able to get away with. I am all for testing and think it should be done more often just sad that it is so expensive. Corporations are so busy trying to jump on a new athlete to sponsor; you don't think that having your businesses name associated with keeping sports free of drugs is a better investment?

11. We'll end this interview with a random question: What is the longest run you have ever completed?

Possibly the 14 miler that coach subjected me to on 2 occasions last year!