25 Facts About Abdihamid Nur

Abdihamid "Abdi" Nur was born on October 14,1998 and is a Somali-born American long-distance runner.

Abdihamid Nur competed collegiately for Northern Arizona University from 2019 to 2022, where he won multiple national titles in the NCAA and set a collegiate record in the outdoor 5000 m After graduating, Nur signed with Nike and has since won 2 national titles and represented the US at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships, and the 2024 Olympic Games.

Abdihamid Nur has three older brothers, three older sisters, and a younger sister.

Abdihamid Nur's family moved away from Somalia when he was very young due to the country's political instability.

Abdihamid Nur remembers little of his time there since he was still an infant.

Abdihamid Nur's mother wanted a safer life for them, so she made the decision for them to leave Somalia.

Abdihamid Nur worked odd jobs as a janitor and babysitter to financially support them.

Abdihamid Nur shared that "sports brought [him] closer to people and helped [him] make friends".

Abdihamid Nur even attributed sports for his smooth transition to the United States by allowing him to acclimate to a new culture.

Abdihamid Nur ended up tearing ligaments in his knee and required surgery to fix his injured collarbone.

Abdihamid Nur was bedridden temporarily, missed the entire soccer season as a result, and was unable to go to school for three months.

Abdihamid Nur recalls the experience messing him up and being a "really bad time for [him]".

Abdihamid Nur's coach advised him to give cross country a try.

Immediately, Abdihamid Nur showed great potential by coming in third place at his first meet in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Abdihamid Nur's coach saw this and recommended that Nur forget soccer and seriously consider switching to running.

Abdihamid Nur thought the idea sounded crazy because "soccer was something [he] grew up loving" and an integral part of his identity.

Soon though, Abdihamid Nur actually took a liking to running and it became something that he did out of genuine interest.

Abdihamid Nur is a 2016 Arizona Interscholastic Association Cross Country Division I State Champion, and 3-time Arizona Interscholastic Association Division I State finalist.

Abdihamid Nur began to receive calls following his win at the AIA Cross Country Championships, putting him on Northern Arizona University's radar.

Abdihamid Nur enrolled at Coconino County Community College in Flagstaff in 2017.

Abdihamid Nur fully devoted himself to his grades and training exclusively so that he could increase his chances of being accepted into NAU.

Abdihamid Nur looked at them in complete astonishment and amazement as they passed him with utter ease.

Abdihamid Nur questioned if he could be a part of NAU, run with the squad, or make their team.

Abdihamid Nur reached out to Coach Mike Smith who started Nur out slowly because Smith was uncertain of what Nur could handle after a two-year break.

Abdihamid Nur would run 80 to 90 miles a week and Grijalva would run 90 to 100 miles a week.