In a sport that has produced some of Boston University's finest athletes, Are Nakkim is one of the best runners ever to compete for the Terriers.
A native of Moss, Norway, Nakkim earned all-star recognition at every distance from 1500 meters to cross country.
Perhaps his single-greatest feat was during the 1986 outdoor season. In three events - the 3000m steeplechase, the 5,000m run and the 10,000m run, he turned in the fastest time of the year by any collegian.
He was an All-New England and All-East cross country runner in 1985 as the Terriers won the Greater Boston and New England titles and finished eighth at the NCAAs. However, it was in 1986 and 1987 that he emerged as one of the nation's premier collegiate distance runners. Both years, he finished second in the 5,000m run and was named an All-American each time. In addition, during those two seasons, he was a two-time All-East selection twice and a six-time All-New England honoree.
Nakkim won more than just individual titles, as he was a member of some of the Terriers' most successful teams. In 1986, the cross country team won the Greater Boston and New England Championships, finished second at IC4As and third at the NCAA Championships. Then, during the indoor season, the team was second at the Greater Boston and New England Championships, third at IC4As and third at NCAAs, marking the highest-ever finish for a New England school at the time.
Nakkim continued to excel after graduation, such as in 1990, when he finished second in the European Championships and sixth in the World Championships at 10,000 meters.Â
