Athlete Bio#
Height
5'11"
Age
48
Hometown
Tucson, AZ
Education
Tucson High School (Tucson, Ariz.) '95 Pima Community College ’97; University of Arizona ‘01, Retail and Consumer Study
Quick Facts
- Son of Mahamed Aabdirahman and Halima Ahmed Handule
- Born in Somalia and moved to Arizona at age 12
- Became a U.S. citizen on Jan. 28, 2000
- In 2016, Abdirahman finished third at the TCS New York City Marathon making him the oldest male runner to make the podium at NYC
- Secured his place on a fifth Olympic team, and, at 43, became the oldest American runner ever to make the Olympic team
- His friends often make fun of his slow gait, “like he’s run so many miles he’s forgotten how to walk.”
- He takes a relaxed approach to running. “Running is not a complicated sport
- If you’re tired, you’re tired. You take a rest.”
- 2012 Road Runners Club of America Distance Running Hall of Fame inductee
- Four-time national champion in the 10,000-meter (2001, 2005, 2007, 2008)
More
Olympic Experience
- 5-time Olympian;
- Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, 41th (Marathon - Men)
- Olympic Games London 2012, (Marathon - Men)
- Olympic Games Beijing 2008, 15th (10000m - Men)
- Olympic Games Athens 2004, 15th (10000m - Men)
- Olympic Games Sydney 2000, 10th (10000m - Men)
World Championships Experience
- Most recent: 2007 – 7th (10000m - Men)
- Years of participation: 10000m - Men 2001, 2005, 2007
- Top finish: 7th – 2007 (10000m - Men)
