by Larry EderAbdi Abdirahman is one of our most veteran of American distance runners. Abdi is a four time Olympian, who competed in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012. In 2000 and 2004, Abdi made the U.S. Olympic team at 10,000 meters, finishing in tenth in 2000 and fifteenth in 2004.
Abdi Abdirahman, TCS NYC Marathon, third place, photo by PhotoRun.net
Abdi competed in 2003, 2005 and 2007 at World Championships at 10,000 meters. Abdi Abdirahman finished seventh in 2007 in Osaka, Japan. In 2005, Abdi was in thirteenth and in 2003 in nineteenth.
Abdi is an emotional runner. I recall his 10,000m PB at the Pre Classic in June 2008, when he ran 27:16.99, then, the second fastest tiime by an American. He was in a 10,000m with Kenenisa Bekele, who ran the fastest time in North America to win the race.
Abdi made the 2008 Olympic team at 10,000 meters. In 2012, Abdi made his fourth Olympic Team, at the marathon. Unfortunately, Abdi developed injuries after the Trials, and dropped out of the London Olympic Marathon.
That is why Abdi was such a big surprise on Sunday in NYC. Always talented, Abdi continues to show that age is not a barrier. Always a fun interview, and a class act, Abdi Abdirahman, kept his cool on Sunday and moved into third place late in the race, finishing the 2016 TCS NYC Marathon in third place! Here is my interview with the always quotable Abdi Abdirahman.
