Abdi Abdirahman is one of only three U.S. men to make four Olympic teams in athletics. Still going strong more than a decade after his marathon debut, Abdirahman recorded his third fastest marathon time in New York City this past fall, finishing first American and third overall in 2:11:23. He has additional top-five finishes in New York City and Chicago, and placed third at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. At the 2012 London Olympic Games Marathon, he had to drop from the race due to a knee injury. Abdirahman is a four time U.S. National Champion in the 10,000m (2001, 2005, 2007, 2008) and also competed in that event at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympics and at three IAAF World Championships. On the 10,000m all-time U.S. list, his personal best of 27:16.99 ranks him fourth behind Galen Rupp, Chris Solinsky and Meb Keflezighi. Abdirahman has also won national titles in the 10K, 10 mile, 20K and the half marathon. His fastest half marathon is 1:00:29, recorded with a runner up finish at the 2007 New York City Half Marathon, and his best 10K is 28:11, recorded at the 2007 Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta.

Abdirahman was born in Mogadishu, Somalia, before immigrating to the United States, where he graduated from Tucson High School and then attended Pima Community College and the University of Arizona. While at the University of Arizona, Abdirahman finished second at the 1998 NCAA Cross Country Championships and was named the 1998 Pacific-10 Conference Cross Country Male Athlete of the Year.In 2000, he became an American citizen. “Running marathons has taught me to never give up on my goals, even though as a runner there may be many setbacks,” says Abdirahman.

“ As I prepare for the Boston Marathon, there is no obstacle that will get in front of my goal of running on Patriots’ Day.”