Who is Abdi Nageeye? All about the Dutch runner who won his first major title at New York City Marathon 2024

By Abhiruchi Rout

Modified Nov 03, 2024 19:21 GMT

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Abdi Nageeye is a long-distance runner who represents the Netherlands in international competitions. He made headlines for his remarkable performance at the 2024 New York City Marathon, where he claimed his first-ever marathon major title.

He accomplished the feat by crossing the finish line at 2:07:39 in New York. The 35-year-old finished ahead of Evans Chebet, the two-time Boston Marathon and 2022 New York Marathon champion, who recorded a time of 2:07:45.

Let’s explore more about the Dutch runner who won the final World Marathon Major of the 2024 season -

Abdi Nageeye’s family and hometown

Nageeye was born on March 2, 1989, in Mogadishu, Somalia. At the age of six, he left Somalia with his brother to start a new life in the Netherlands. After spending four years in the Netherlands, he and his brother lived in Syria for three years. They then went back to Somalia to spend time with their parents.

However, Nageeye soon started missing his life spent in the Netherlands. Following this, he left Somalia through Ethiopia and returned back to the Netherlands.

After Nageeye's school teacher provided the Dutch embassy in Addis Ababa with proof of his prior residency and studies in the country, he was permitted entry to the Netherlands and eventually gained Dutch citizenship.

Later, Nageeye grew up with his adoptive family in the Netherlands.

Abdi Nageeye’s education

Nageeye attended a primary school in Den Helder, Netherlands.

When did Abdi Nageeye take up the sport? More on his training

Nageeye, who started his running career at the age of 18 after participating in a 5km race, has had a nomadic coaching journey, changing coaches 12 or 13 times.. He is now training with the Kenyan-based NN Running Team.

Nageeye’s other notable career accomplishments

Nageeye in the Men's Marathon medal ceremony during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. (Photo via Getty Images)

Apart from winning the 2024 NYC Marathon, Nageeye had previously achieved a third-place finish at the 2022 edition of the marathon, recording a time of 2:10:31.

One of his career’s biggest accomplishments was winning the silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the men’s marathon, clocking a sensational 2:09:58, only behind the former world record holder Eliud Kipchoge (2:08:38).

He holds the Dutch national record in the marathon (2:04:45), half marathon (1:00:21), and 10km road race (28:08). In 2024, he also claimed victory in the men’s elite race of the NN Marathon Rotterdam.

Abdi Nageeye’s foundation

Nageeye established the Abdi Nageeye Foundation in 2017 to raise funds for better sporting facilities for Somali children.