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INSPIRING COMMUNITY: Kader & Seyfu
The talented adidas Runners London pair are the future of fast, and a true representation of what the global community has set its sights on – changing lives.
Podium finishes, championship wins, and medals adorned in the infamous gold, silver and bronze are commonly splashed across headlines. Millions of moving stories in the world of sport are left untold, but this platform was born to celebrate our community and our people. Today, short of a thousand words and 90 seconds on Instagram will take you through the promising stories of two refugees from Eritrea and Ethiopia that found home in the British capital.
Just as in anything in this game we call life, some people are just born with it. Kader and Seyfu, 20 and 23 years young respectively, have shown us how fast can look so effortless. The pair delved into different sports before stepping foot on British soil with a dream to find a home on more fertile land. When jumping from a refugee home to another, feeling a sense of belonging is tough, and an easy way to be at peace is to explore the world on your two feet running.
The two adidas Runners London community members are a great embodiment of the Adizero franchise – built for the fast. When asked what about running fast they like the most, an answer that would be a far cry for the average running population, was that it’s easy and fun. Take that as you see it... In their early twenties with only a few years of running experience under their belts, their marathon and personal bests rocking the acclaimed Adios Pro 3s, which are the pairs racing favorites, are 2:22:44 for Kader for only his third marathon attempt, and an astonishing 2:19:39 photo finish for Seyfu’s first-ever marathon, both in the historic city of Berlin in 2023. Their half marathon personal bests are nothing short of impressive at 1:07:43 and 1:03:34 respectively.
The African natives hold the train to race, and race to win mindset, but have Captain Ayo of the AR London Community in their corner to help mold them into becoming better athletes. Ayo has been a member of the adidas Runners family since its inception and spotted Kader in one of his undertakings teaching underprivileged children sports. His innate fervor towards giving back, and helping others is reflective of how he shows up to weekly runs outside of clocking in his 9-5, and carves out even more than the hours of the day allow to equipping Kader and Seyfu to become one of Britain’s bests. “It’s the athletes that make the coach", he humbly shared, and has fueled his own running journey and personal fulfillment while doing so.
The African natives hold the train to race, and race to win mindset, but have Captain Ayo of the AR London Community in their corner to help mold them into becoming better athletes. Ayo has been a member of the adidas Runners family since its inception and spotted Kader in one of his undertakings teaching underprivileged children sports. His innate fervor towards giving back, and helping others is reflective of how he shows up to weekly runs outside of clocking in his 9-5, and carves out even more than the hours of the day allow to equipping Kader and Seyfu to become one of Britain’s bests. “It’s the athletes that make the coach", he humbly shared, and has fueled his own running journey and personal fulfillment while doing so.
Most of the time fast is reaching the endorphin high, but sometimes fast is an epiphany waiting after the final kilometer stretch that leads to a greater calling. Ayo and our 200+ captains and coaches across the globe can most probably attest to the same.
In this sport, it is as beautifully painful as it can get. Days of threshold, days of pure bliss. In between weeks of hard work when the feeling should be confident and ready, but it was the worst training day of your training block. The result is equally proportional to the labor of love put in. But gravity reigns in, and there are days where the best is bare minimum, and the world will not halt in this demise. Runners still choose to lace up, get out the door, and start over with the people they share the same level of grit and disorienting love-hate situationship with running.
This is the beauty of community. Traversing away from your motherland, immersing in a foreign culture and language is a trial of its own, only those who experience it will truly comprehend. Seyfu has Kader to thank for bringing the London family to him. Ayo shares how the two runners have given AR London a poignant meaning to running and how it truly does change lives. They have become a symbol of hope and promise – one that propels each runner showing up before the sun rises to unearth what they see when they go beyond their limits. And one that shows just how the feeling of support, care, and value can drive tumultuous impact to those that need it most. Kader and Seyfu reciprocate the same gratefulness. “adidas Runners is everything to me,” was an instant response when prompted about their experience with the community. “The people are the most important. They support me to be fast. They support me.”
Crossing the Mediterranean Sea and English Channel in hopes to build a life well-lived, luckily brought Kader and Seyfu home in the arms of the adidas Runners community.
“Everyone should keep an eye out for them. They’re going to be part of the game,” shares Ayo excitedly.
Crossing the Mediterranean Sea and English Channel in hopes to build a life well-lived, luckily brought Kader and Seyfu home in the arms of the adidas Runners community.
“Everyone should keep an eye out for them. They’re going to be part of the game,” shares Ayo excitedly.
To stay up to date with Seyfu, Kader and Ayo's journey, follow adidas Runners on Instagram and watch their inspiring story here.
Join the adidas Runners community now. Become an adidas Runner and run with us.
Join the adidas Runners community now. Become an adidas Runner and run with us.
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