Copyright Star Tribune
He ran 20 miles at a 6-minute, 22-second pace the day before as a warmup. He celebrated his historic achievement by running 10 miles later that evening. And then woke up and ran 17 miles the next morning. Augsburg's Mohammed Bati is the first MIAC men's runner to win four conference cross-country championships. (Renée Jones Schneider/The Minnesota Star Tribune) “I’ve learned to accept the reality of pain,” he said during a break in his schedule. “It’s about having that ambition. I’m fighting for that dream and desire. You have to pay something to get somewhere. Nothing comes free. I just have a reason to fight every day.” His life is a testament to dedication and discipline. Bati spoke no English when he moved from Ethiopia to the Twin Cities in 2018 to join his mother in search of a better opportunity. He had no formal training as a runner, either. A physical education teacher alerted Highland Park cross-country coach Brad Moening that he had a student who refused to participate in a bench-press circuit in class because he feared lifting weights would make him slower. Moening introduced Bati to running, and something magical happened. “I have been coaching for 25 years, and he has the prettiest running technique of anybody I’ve ever seen,” Moening said. “It’s graceful, it’s fluid. He’s so efficient.” At his first indoor track meet, Bati blasted like a rocket at the start and kept running after completing his final lap. Once, Moening signed him up for a half-marathon trail race. He was concerned that Bati would not understand the course markings, so he told him to follow a certain runner. Three miles in, someone stepped on Bati’s foot, causing his shoe to come off. Worried that he would lose track of his guide, Bati picked up his shoe and carried it the final 10 miles. Mohammed Bati carries the shoe that came off during a trail race and added to his legend. (Bruce Adelsman / Skinnyski.com/Bruce Adelsman/Skinnyski.com) “He comes in with his foot just covered in blood blisters and ripped-off toenails,” Moening said. Bati chuckles at the memory. “It felt like burning,” he said. “Not really bad.” His voice is soft when he speaks but powerful in the depth of his words. He talks about running with soulful reverence. He chose a nursing major because he wants to help people, especially elderly people. He works as a nursing aide at night, using his breaks to take catnaps. He said winning his historic fourth conference title was less about personal ambition than being able to shine a spotlight on Augsburg’s program and school. Mohammed Bati poses with supporters on the day he became a U.S. citizen. (Provided by Brad Moening) “You have to desire something to chase,” he said. “When you do that, it doesn’t matter if you run 150 miles, or you work night shift. Nobody cares. You have to chase it. That’s what makes me strong.” He has a stack of accolades to prove it. He owns four of the five fastest 8,000-meter times in the history of the MIAC championships meet. He placed second nationally in Division III last season. In June he finished second in the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon with a time of 1:03:51. He hopes to add the D-III national championship in two weeks.
