In the first of our fantastic 10 for 2021, Irish international Abdel Laadjel is an exciting talent for the future and it’s great to follow his start to collegiate running in the US. 

The winner of the intermediate boys race at the All-Ireland Schools Cross Country championship back in March 2020 recently spoke to Fast Running about his excitement of adventures ahead. The Young Irish star has signed a full scholarship for Division One Providence College in the US.

So it seemed only natural to ask the distance athlete to share his experience with our readers through 2021 and hopefully get a direct insight into the experience of US collegiate running.

Fast10 Profile

Name: Abdel Laadjel
Age: 17
Hometown: Dublin, Ireland
Club: Donore Harriers
Main discipline: Long distance 3k/5k
Other disciplines: cross country and 1500
Full-time athlete/work/studying: Athlete / Secondary School Student

Photo: Gerry Naughton of Donore Harriers

Goals or targets for 2021

Win National Juniors and Make European u20, Euro cross

Past Running highlights

Winning my first national title in Schools at the mile. Also first international in Celtics and representing Ireland. Also training camps in Portugal with Donore is always a big Highlight

Interesting or fun fact

Family originates from Algeria and we try to get there every summer. Also I’ve never watched an Olympics in my life yet. [Hopefully you get the opportunity to watch one this year! – Ed.]

I run because…

I love the training and grind for getting better and also having a goal in mind to work for. It also takes some out the stress of school and gives me a lot of wonderful opportunities.

Favourite training session

Fartlek moneghetti
2 x 90 seconds effort / 90 seconds recovery
4 x 60 seconds effort / 60 seconds recovery
4 x 30 seconds effort / 30 seconds recovery
4 x 15 seconds effort / 15 seconds recovery

Least favourite training session

I dislike hard hills. Hill training is the worst but what has to be done has to be done.

Favourite pre-race food

Sweet milk with coffee
Toast
Banana

Favourite post-race food

Straight to Nandos after a race

Favourite running shoes

Pegasus 35s for miles

Brands or organisations that support me

Donore Harriers
Athletics Ireland
Providence College will start supporting me this summer.

This next fortnight we will continue to introduce the Fast10 ‘Class of 2021″ and then the blogs will start after that. Hopefully you are excited as we are to start following this year’s athletes.