Abdi Abdirahman celebrates after finishing third in the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) 

Four-time Tucson Olympic distance runner Abdi Abdirahman last week told Deadspin.com that his long-time coach, UA Hall of Famer Dave Murray, is more than a coach. “When things are not going well, some runners want to change coaches,” said Abdirahman. “That thought never crossed my mind. Me and him, I look at him as a life coach, a mentor and a friend. He’s always there for me. My family is in Seattle, so he has become my family. Christmas, Thanksgiving, a lot of holidays, I go over to Coach’s. I know his grandkids, his brother, his sister — I’ve become one of them.” Well said. 


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