Abdi at the Wall and his next marathon

2008 Beijing Olympics

Beijing, CN ⋅ Aug, 8 2008 - Aug 24 2008 | Coverage created by kevind

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Black Cactus Running

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About Abdi Abdirahman

Organization:	Nike
College:	University Of Arizona
High School:	Tucson Magnet High School
Bio:	Abdi Abdiraham Bio Abdi Abdirahman, Somalian-born and raised distance runner, stormed the States, packing 130 pounds of sheer determination and drive. The three-time USA 10,000m champion (2001, 2005,… + See More + Abdi Abdiraham Bio Abdi Abdirahman, Somalian-born and raised distance runner, stormed the States, packing 130 pounds of sheer determination and drive. The three-time USA 10,000m champion (2001, 2005,… + See More - See Less - Abdi Abdiraham Bio Abdi Abdirahman, Somalian-born and raised distance runner, stormed the States, packing 130 pounds of sheer determination and drive. The three-time USA 10,000m champion (2001, 2005, 2007), two-time USA 10,000m runner-up (2002, 2004) and 2005 USA 10-mile champion has plenty to be proud of and plenty more to strive for. The Nike repping distance runner attended Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona in 1996 where he ran full steam ahead to claim the title of Arizona State Junior College champion – twice. Abdirahman then won his first two collegiate races at the University of Arizona, the Jammin’ Invitational (24:28) and the Aztec Invitational (25:28). With his stellar record, he swept Pac-10’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year award in 1998. In 2006, Abdirahman crossed the Chicago Marathon fourth with a personal best time, 2:08.56. Abdirahman placed 14th at the New York City Marathon in 2004 and was Olympic Trial runner-up in the 10,000m, qualifying him to compete as an Olympic athlete in the 2004 games, where he placed 15th in the world at 28:26.26.

#25	Nick Higgins May 3 at 2:39am How can the guy in the London shirt call himself an American marathoner if he doesn't know one of the top distance runners on the US Olympic team?! reply
#24	Anonymous Coward December 29, 2008 at 1:49pm holy shi t..should of been the funniest athlete of 2008 reply
#23	Anonymous Coward December 23, 2008 at 10:53pm haha "holy shi.." reply
#22	Mark October 16, 2008 at 2:44am That's cool, but I'm the only one who trained for the 2008 ING New York City Marathon by RUNNING ON THE GREAT WALL at the Olympics. :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMMqPM9InpI&feature=related Abdi, do that!!! reply
#21	Brian Sell Fan October 4, 2008 at 1:23pm That guy with the london shirt must have his pants when he found out who he met reply
#20	Michael Wienholt October 3, 2008 at 11:07pm Two days ago I met Abdi in a sandwich shop in Tucson, just before he was to leave to London for the half-marathon this weekend. The man you see in this video is the real deal: genuine, funny, happy, modest, and CONFIDENT in his abilities. You meet Abdi and you go away with a smile on your face. Good luck Abdi. GO BLACK CACTUS! reply
#19	Matt R (ASU '08) October 3, 2008 at 4:48pm Keep Going Abdi!!! Just like in college, if you need me for the first part, let me know... reply
#18	Matthew Schneider October 1, 2008 at 9:15pm well said Mr. Hunt! Love Abdi. And yes the sport does need some people willing to promote and make themselves known. . some may see it as a form of prostituting themselves for public eye and such but I feel Abdi is legit. He is not afraid to be the Black Cactus and he is certainly not all talk. I don't know that Abdi will contend for the win, I certainly will support him, and think he can run 2:06 in New York! If ya want to afford building a better American program you have to promote! reply
#17	Eric Hunt October 1, 2008 at 11:12am Abdi is exactly what US running needs. Someone who will promote themselves, and doen't take themselves too seriously. He has such a charismatic personality. He is someone people can really relate to, and get behind. How can you say this was too much? I am sure it was all staged, but I think this is what our sport needs more of. Creative promotion. As for the "in it to win it" quote, if you are a professional runner, and aren't going to a race trying to win, you should probably look for another profession. It isn't like he stood there and predicted a world record. I celebrate Abdi and his willingness to put himself out there to promote distance running. reply
#16	Scot Sedley October 1, 2008 at 9:19am Mary Wittenberg is fantastic. Abdi is fantastic. I love everything about this. reply
#15	Skinny Texan October 1, 2008 at 7:26am i love how you guys make personal attacks just because someone doesn't know something. Like I said, i know abdi is one of the best. i just thought the wall thing was a bit much. i guess since you know him so well, maybe personally, you got the joke. all hail you. reply
#14	Danny Mackey October 1, 2008 at 12:55am I like how Mary W. doesn't take herself too seriously. The NY Road Runners are making an huge effort (along with putting out the money) to get great races there, it's good for the our sport. reply
#13	Matt September 30, 2008 at 11:21pm I am sorry Josh, but Abdi is one of the best runners in the US hands down. He runs in Flagstaff under the watchful eye of Jack Daniels, who in his own words says Abdi should have been on the Olympic Marathon team had it not been for his injury. reply
#12	JLF September 30, 2008 at 10:52pm wow...so he's already going to run a marathon even tho its only been a few months after Beijing?? thats crazy/awesome! I hope he does really well, although I wish I would run the Chicago Marathon because im going to be there. haha Good Luck Abdi! reply
#11	Kevin Fuller September 30, 2008 at 10:01pm That is a cool way to pick a marathon. I hope he does well. reply
#10	Joshua Neyhart September 30, 2008 at 9:38pm so I see censoring is running rampant here! reply
#9	Joshua Neyhart September 30, 2008 at 9:13pm sometimes i get tired of his stupid . i mean he had a great race at OT's, but beyond that he get's annoying. He got smoked by his African countparts at the Olympics and he'll get shown up once again in NYC. reply
#8	Spoiler Alert September 30, 2008 at 8:56pm NEW York it is reply
#7	Wais Khairandesh September 30, 2008 at 8:53pm im in it to win it....awesome dude reply
#6	Nanaymouse Cow-heart September 30, 2008 at 8:32pm You should run boston! reply
#5	BTW September 30, 2008 at 7:30pm And he has run 3 marathons. 4 if you include the trials but was forced to drop out because of injury reply
#4	Skinny Idiot September 30, 2008 at 7:28pm why don't you go google his name and find out that he has run a 2:08 Marathon. And if you knew anything about him then you would understand his personality.. reply
#3	Chase Wade September 30, 2008 at 7:26pm Can't wait!! reply
#2	Bill Hoffman September 30, 2008 at 7:25pm Very cool Abdi, Go Black Cactus Go!!!!!! Cheers! reply
#1	Skinny Texan September 30, 2008 at 7:07pm abdi is undoubtedly one of the best in the world. no disrespect to him. i am sure he could kick a** in a marathon. but isn't this self-aggrandizement just a little much? how many marathons has he run? one? and did he finish? I do look forward to seeing him run and do well. but come on. reply

Abdi at the Wall and his next marathon

The Black Cactus had to decide what race to run after the Beijing Olympics so he asked the race directors to meet him at the top of the Great Wall of China. Music by the Jack Miller Band "Keep Movin"
September 30, 2008

The Americans - Day 3 Press Conference from the ING NYC Marathon	Black Cactus Before the ING NYC Marathon
America's Best Press Conference - US Championships	America's Best Press Conference - Thoughts on the Course
America's Best Press Conference - Opening Comments	America's Best Press Conference - On the International Field
America's Best Press Conference - Introductions	Monaco: Last Stop Before Berlin
Abdi going back to the states	Abdi Abdirahman 5k Crystal Palace

	2008 Olympics
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	2008 US Olympians

Abdi at the Wall and his next marathon

Beijing, CN ⋅ Aug, 8 2008 - Aug 24 2008 | Coverage created by kevind

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Abdi at the Wall and his next marathon

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