FAIRFAX, Va. - Senior John Holt of the George Mason men's cross country is off to a successful start this season. At the William and Mary Invitational this past weekend, he finished third overall with a time of 25:31. Holt has also been the first man to cross the line for Mason in both the Spider Alumni Open and the William and Mary Invitational. A native of Williamsburg, Va. and also a member of the George Mason track and field team, Holt recently answered some questions for GoMason.com.

GoMason.com: Why did you choose George Mason University?

Holt: I chose Mason because of the cross country team and for the strong economics program.

GoMason.com: What are your goals for this season?

Holt: I would like to medal at the CAA Championships and be an All-Region recipient.

GoMason.com: Who would you say you look up to the most?

Holt: Right now, I probably look up to Haile Gebrselassie most. He has been world champion in nearly every event from the mile to the marathon. He previously held world records in the 5k, 10k, and marathon. He grew up in extreme poverty, having to live in a mud hut and run six miles to and from school every day (barefoot), as a child. Before he broke the world record in the marathon, he worked to bring businesses into Ethiopia (his home country) and to help the Ethiopian people.

GoMason.com: What does your typical off-season training consist of?

Holt: Off-season training for me usually consists of running 50-100 miles each week.

GoMason.com: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you take with you?

Holt: I would bring a pocket knife, book of matches and a space blanket. Let's be serious, I'd make it off the island.

GoMason.com: What is your biggest pet peeve?

Holt: People who get in between me and my food by walking slow in the dining halls.

GoMason.com: What is your favorite cross country memory?

Holt: My favorite cross country memory is finishing as the second man for Mason at the 2010 NCAA Southeast Regional Meet.

GoMason.com: What would you like to do after college?

Holt: I want to run in marathons.

GoMason.com: If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go?

Holt: I would visit Prague and the Czech Republic.

GoMason.com:  What is something that most people don't know about you?

Holt: I ran my first six minute mile when I was 9 years old.

John Holt's Favorite's:

Color: Green

Ice-Cream Flavor: Americone Dream (Steven Colbert's flavor)

Quote:  "It is at the borders of pain and suffering that the men are separated from the boys"
-Emil Zatopek, on his training, which included up to 100 quarter mile repeats fast (he later won the 5k, 10k, and marathon at the 1952 Olympic Games).

Class at GMU: Intermediate Macroeconomics

TV Show: White Collar

Movie: Star Wars

Food: Bread