3 things Mohammed Ahmed wants high school runners to know

Mohammed Ahmed is the Canadian record holder in the 5,000m and 10,000m who secured the first Canadian medal in a distance event at an outdoor World Championship this past fall.

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Ahmed one of the most accomplish Canadian distance runners of all time and he got his start at OFSAA. As a St. Catharine’s resident he was running in the Ontario high school system and therefore, a goal of his was to make the championship. Ahmed fell short in grade nine and didn’t make OFSAA. In grade ten he was seventh and by grade 11 he was the winner. He went on to win the senior race as a grade 12 student as well.

Ahmed was in Sudbury for the 2019 OFSAA Cross-Country Championships and he had a message for aspiring high school runners.

RELATED: Mohammed Ahmed won the medal he’d been hunting for years

Have fun

Ahmed says that when you’re in high school, having fun is the most important part of the process. “Enjoy and have fun with the sport. If there’s one regret I have, I wish I wasn’t as serious as I was. Keep being goofy. Keep enjoying yourself.”

Work hard

The Canadian record holder says that runners need to show up to practice and work hard while they’re there.

Have balance

Finally, Ahmed says that balance is key. While specializing later in life is alright for a runner, when you’re in high school, Ahmed encourages the young runner to try lots of stuff and have multiple interests. “Have a balanced life. Be a student but also be an athlete and make sure you have time for both.”

The full OFSAA race report can be found here.