Abdi Nageeye, the celebrated 2024 New York City Marathon champion, reveals that moving to Kenya at age 21 was the transformative decision that shaped his marathon career.
This bold relocation allowed him to adopt the training and lifestyle of elite Kenyan runners, setting him on the path to international success.
The inspiration behind this life-changing move came from a story about a Dutchwoman who moved to China to pursue table tennis. Her journey to becoming a world champion by embracing local culture and methods motivated Nageeye to do the same for marathon running.
Determined to realize his dreams, Nageeye put aside his education, gave away his belongings, and moved to Iten, Kenya—a town famous for producing world-class marathoners.
“When I was 21, I knew that to compete with the best, I needed to train like the best,” Nageeye explained. “I read about a Dutch athlete who achieved greatness by living in China. I decided to make a similar commitment, even giving up my possessions to focus solely on running in Kenya.”
Living and training in Kenya allowed Nageeye to adopt the disciplined methods of Kenya’s top athletes, including renowned marathoners Eliud Kipchoge, Benson Kipruto, and Evans Chebet.
He credits the unique high-altitude environment of Iten and the rigorous training routines for molding him into one of the world’s elite marathoners.
Nageeye’s 2024 season has been outstanding, with three major wins, including the NN CPC Loop Den Haag Half Marathon and the NN Marathon Rotterdam.
Despite a “did not finish” at the men’s marathon in the Paris Olympics, his recent triumph in New York reinforces his place among the world’s marathon elite.
As he continues to excel, Nageeye’s journey from a young dreamer in Iten to a New York City Marathon champion demonstrates the power of dedication and the impact of learning from the world’s best.
