Nairobi News

Tokyo Olympics marathon bronze medalist Bashir Abdi says he is satisfied with his sixth-place finish at the Great North Run in Newcastle at the weekend.

The race attracted over 55,000 professional and nonprofessional athletes and racers.

The athlete, who’s supported by the Dahabshil group, was competing in his first race since his exploits In Tokyo.

Briton Mark Scott won the race ahead of Kenyan Edward Cheserek.

“I came here to have fun and I have enjoyed every bit of the race. It was my first race after the Olympics and what matters most to me is to prepare for the upcoming season,” he explained.

Abdi, a Somali-born Belgian, is gunning for a record timing at the Rotterdam Marathon on October 24.

“I was running the Great North Run to get a better idea about where I am at. In any event, I will go to a training camp in France to prepare for the marathon of Rotterdam,” he confirmed.

Abdi quest for a record in Rotterdam is supported by Africa leading money transfer company Dahabshiil who have been assisting him through his training prior to the Olympics and ahead of the new marathon season
Dahabshiil Group of companies includes E-Dahab, Somtel, and East Africa Bank.

Abdi says he is focused on Rotterdam.

“Rotterdam is the city of the marathon for me,’’ says 32-year-old Abdi. “It has a fast course and the organization is always excellent. Additionally, ‘Rotterdam’ feels like a home match for me. I don’t get that anywhere else. If I have any chance of beating the European record anywhere, then it is here, but I will have to do my very best for it.’’