The Black Cactus : Speakers & Interviews

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,…
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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,…
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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.