Abdi Noor is a tremendously talented and competitive athlete. Abdi Noor, a graduate of Northern Arizona University, now competes for a new NIKE club, SWOOSH, based in Flagstaff. Abd is coached by Mike and Rachel Smith.
This writer first met Abdi Nour at the 2023 Grand Prix of Los Angeles. Abdi was a fun interview and his race in Los Angeles showed his fans that his 5000m talent was just showing. Abdi Nur has made two World Championship teams (Eugene 2022 and Budapest 2023) in the 5000 meters and one Olympic team (2024) in the 5000 meters.
Abdi Noor is an incredible example. HIS family migrated from Somalia and his journey across the country is an incredible story. Abdi Noor had to focus on his grades to get into NAU with the help of coach Mike Smith. Abdi Noor is a great example of how sometimes athletes and students need to focus on their goals. Coach Smith did not make it easy for Abdi and challenged Abdi to challenge him.
Abdi Noor has some impressive PBs: 1500m 3:36.33 (2022), 3000m 7:40.66 (2022) and 5000m 13:05. 17 (2023) and 10000m in 27:17.28.
After seeing Jackson Spencer win the boys’ 5000m XC champs at NXR Southwest and Lily Alder the girls’ 5000m XC champs, RunBlogRun asked Abdi Noor, who was hanging out with Moh Ahmed, about tipping for high school cross country runners.
#inhemixedzoneAbdi Noor, 5000m, former NAU star, now Nike Swoosh TC star! Abdi is always the best interview. Thoughtful. A refined and complete warrior on the track. #runblogrun Abdi asked for advice on being successful in high school. #long distance:,#NXRS Southwest!… pic.twitter.com/OKz5bSCRFr
— RunBlogRun (@RunBlogRun) December 18, 2025
