Runner Abad Akhtar has a dream: to compete in 2012 Olympics

Nov, 09-2009 3:01 pm

By MICHAEL FEELY
Staff Writer

Abad Akhtar is one of Brigantine’s least-known athletes with one of the biggest dreams: to run in the London Olympics.

Born in Pakistan, Akhtar’s family traveled via Germany and Canada before ending up in Brigantine when he was 6 or 7. He was educated at Brigantine Elementary School where he was nurtured by Mr. Damico and Maureen Guenther (now Baldwin). He remembers a second-grade class where he told Ms. Flanagan, through a translator, that his dream was to run.

He matriculated to Atlantic City High School where, under the guidance and encouragement of Edmond Grimes – the cross country coach – he started to seriously train. He ran a 4:38 mile as a junior and a 4:25 mile as a senior with a sterling 16:20

5K (3.1 miles).

The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey has been Akhtar’s school for the past three years. His freshman year held a lot of promise as he ran a 15:09 5K and won three races. However, Akhtar suffered a stress fracture to his tibia as a sophomore from over training and only won one race that year. This year has brought improved results as he has won three races including the Collegiate Track Conference where he ran a 26:10 8K (5 miles). He was also named “NJAC Runner of the Week” three times.

Holding dual citizenship (United States and Pakistan), he feels his best bet is representing Pakistan at the London Olympics in 2012. He trains with this dream in front of him completing 100-mile weeks.

“We have a secret weapon at Stockton,” said Akhtar. “We have over a marathon distance in trails.” However, the athlete still makes his long runs in Brigantine and can be seen running the streets of the city.

Akhtar is fortunate to have inspiration from a variety of sources citing Grimes as well as Randy Wetzel, a training partner who is an Oakcrest High School/Stockton alumnus. Wetzel serves as a “running guru or big brother” for Akhtar. Adrian Blinco, an assistant running coach at Villanova, also serves as an inspiration. Blinco has won the RNS 5K seven years in a row. Akhtar would like to compete at that level.

“I want to continually get better as a runner – and avoid injuries,” he said.

His biggest inspiration is his father who passed away when he was in the eighth grade. “He would work 23-hour shifts,” said Akhtar, who lives with his mother and three brothers.

“I would like to change the culture of running here in Brigantine,” the young athlete added. “It’s great to see all the runners out training for the triathlon. We need more of that.”

The Brigantine Middle School runners competed last month still coached by Baldwin. Will one of those runners develop a similar dream as Akhtar’s? Let’s watch and see.