Senior Malik Mahmud has a passion for running. He said that he started running cross country in middle school and really enjoyed it which led him to try out track in the 7th grade.

He has continued running track since then and is currently a varsity athlete for Dunbar’s track team.

When asked why he likes track, Mahmud said, “I like the competition and how running makes me feel. It gives me the opportunity to constantly stay fit.”

The events that Mahmud competes in include the 4 by 800 meter relay, the 4 by 400 meter relay and the mile.

Coached under Jean Balan, Mahmud hopes to win state with the rest of the team.

“I have high aspirations for this season. I think that that we have a really good team that has a strong chance of winning state with a great new coach,” said Mahmud.

One of Mahmud’s main goals is to qualify for the “dream mile”, a competition between the top 30 one-milers in the state. He also hopes to win state in the 4 by 800 meter relay and get top five in the mile.

Mahmud believes that track is definitely one of the hardest sports out there because of how difficult it is for people to really see the joy of running.

“You have to be able to self-motivate and constantly have the desire to get better,” said Mahmud.

Mahmud’s most memorable experience running track was the first time he broke his mile time of 4:40 at UK’s Heart of the Bluegrass meet.

He has committed to run track at Butler University and is looking forward to running at the college level.

“I hope to improve every year and eventually make it to nationals,” said Mahmud.

Mahmud is very fond of the memories he has made running track and hopes to continue to have a successful future with the sport.