Moh Ahmed half marathon debut delayed again in NYC due to injuries

Canadian distance runner Moh Ahmed’s much-anticipated debut in the half marathon has been put on hold once again. Unfortunately, Ahmed was forced to withdraw from Sunday’s 21.1-kilometre race in New York City due to back spasms and adductor issues he experienced during his final workout leading up to the event. Adductors are a group of muscles responsible for bringing the leg inward towards the body.

In a statement to race organizer New York Road Runners, Ahmed’s agent Dan Lilot of Aurum Sports Group expressed Ahmed’s deep disappointment at not being able to compete against a strong field of runners. Despite this setback, Ahmed remains hopeful for a future opportunity to return to the Big Apple and showcase his talent.

This is not the first time Ahmed has faced challenges leading up to a race. In fact, he had to withdraw from a half marathon in Houston 14 months ago due to a hamstring/hip flexor injury sustained in his final pre-race workout. However, Ahmed’s coach Jerry Schumacher recently confirmed that the runner was in excellent shape and gearing up for a successful outdoor track season, with potential participation in the 5,000 and/or 10,000 meters at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo later this year.

While Ahmed’s focus has primarily been on track events, there has been increasing speculation about his transition to road racing. Ahmed has been contemplating a move to the half marathon for several years, but scheduling conflicts and injuries have hindered his plans. Despite his absence, other Canadian runners shone at the NYC Half, with Ben Flanagan finishing seventh among elite men in a time of 61 minutes 31 seconds.

Flanagan, who achieved a personal best of 61 minutes, expressed satisfaction with his performance and indicated his readiness for upcoming challenges. Additionally, Andrew Davies and Tristan Woodfine, both Canadian runners, delivered strong performances in their NYC Half debuts, further highlighting the depth of talent within the Canadian running community.

As Ahmed regroups and focuses on his recovery, the Canadian running scene continues to thrive with promising athletes pushing the boundaries and inching closer to national records. With Ahmed’s potential return to competition on the horizon, fans eagerly anticipate his next opportunity to showcase his talent on the international stage.