Sports · Running & Athletics · 1 hr ago
Yaseen Abdalla Runs Fastest Half Marathon by a U.S. Citizen
Yaseen Abdalla ran 59:12 at the Valencia Half Marathon on October 25, the fastest half marathon time ever by a U.S. citizen.
His time was five seconds faster than the 59:17 American record held by Conner Mantz.
USATF does not recognize Abdalla’s time as the American record because its rules require record holders to be eligible to represent the United States internationally.
Abdalla was born and raised in the U.S. but competes for Sudan, the country of his parents.
He considers himself the American record holder because he is the fastest American by time.
His connection to Sudan also gave him the chance to run the Olympic marathon, where he finished 33rd in Paris in 2:11.
Abdalla is due to run the Valencia Marathon on December 6, and he has discussed how fast he thinks he can go.
Yaseen Abdalla ran 59:12 at the Valencia Half Marathon on October 25, five seconds faster than the U.S. record recognized by USATF.
The performance is the fastest half marathon ever by a U.S. citizen, but USATF does not recognize it as the American record.
USATF recognizes Conner Mantz’s 59:17 because its rules require record holders to be eligible to represent the United States internationally.
Abdalla was born and raised in the United States but competes internationally for Sudan, the country of his parents.
He says he considers himself the American half marathon record holder.
- Who
- Yaseen Abdalla, who was born and raised in the United States and competes for Sudan internationally.
- What
- He ran 59:12, the fastest half marathon ever by a U.S. citizen. USATF does not recognize it as the American record.
- When
- October 25; the article does not state the year of the race.
- Where
- Valencia, Spain.
- Why
- USATF requires American record holders to be eligible to represent the United States internationally, and Abdalla represents Sudan.
Yaseen Abdalla
USATF
Record claim
Yaseen Abdalla
Abdalla considers himself the American half marathon record holder because he is the fastest American.
USATF
USATF recognizes Conner Mantz’s 59:17 as the American record because its rules require record holders to be eligible to represent the United States internationally.
Abdalla posted on the LetsRun.com message board seeking training advice, with a 4:53 personal best for 1600 meters.
Abdalla made his marathon debut and ran 2:11 for 33rd place.
Abdalla ran 59:12 at the Valencia Half Marathon.
Abdalla was due to run the Valencia Marathon, according to the article.
- Valencia Half Marathon time
- 59:12
- USATF-recognized American record
- Conner Mantz, 59:17
- Record margin
- Abdalla’s time was five seconds faster
- International representation
- Sudan
- Olympic marathon debut
- 2:11, 33rd place
What people are saying
What do you think when you think American record holder? You think the fastest American.
A little unorthodox, but it doesn’t matter if it would work for the public. It matters if it would work for me.