Like many during COVID-19, Andy Haidar (BA Political Science / Law & Justice ’11) had to get creative when it came to staying active during the lockdowns. Haidar, a member of the 2007/2008 OCAA silver medal winning men’s basketball tame, continued to play basketball after graduation but needed a new activity when his sport was paused in 2020. So, he started successfully running five- and 10- kilometre races. That year, he competed in and won a 17-kilometre trail race at Stokely Creek, located just outside of Sault Ste. Marie.
Haidar then set his sights on longer-distance races. In 2022, he ran and placed first in a 34-kilometre trail race, held again at Stokely Creek. Earlier in 2023, he ran and won the 42-kilometre Beaver Freezer.
Haidar said he never had a goal in mind for his running, he is just really competitive. However, when his success continued to rise, he set his sights on the Boston Marathon. In Just 2023, he ran the inaugural Community Strong Boston Marathon Qualifier in the Algoma region. He completed the race in two hours and 53 minutes and qualified for the world-famous marathon.
Haidar credits his success to the Sault Ste. Marie Running community that has motivated him to run daily amidst his busy career at Algoma Steel. Haidar, who is the proud parent of a four-year-old, also trains in boxing and basketball.
Next up for this multi talented athlete? The Boston Marathon in April.
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