Mark Thomas (sprinter)

At the 1983 Midland Bank Lancashire County Championships, Thomas won the U20 100 m and finished second in the 200 m and 400 m.{{cite web |title=Gary grabs title double |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/liverpool-echo-gary-grabs-title-double/159352384/ |publisher=Liverpool Echo |access-date=19 November 2024 |page=15 |date=23 May 1983}} He was compared with Paul Dunn, silver medalist at the 1981 UK Athletics Championships.{{cite web |title=Thomas in superb form at Cosford |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-post-3-am-ed-thomas-in-superb/159353762/ |publisher=Daily Post (3 a.m. ed.) |access-date=19 November 2024 |page=30 |date=15 Dec 1983}} At the British U20 championships in August 1984, Thomas finished 2nd in the 400 m.{{cite web |title=Mark takes second spot |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/liverpool-echo-mark-takes-second-spot/159354421/ |publisher=Liverpool Echo |access-date=19 November 2024 |page=31 |date=13 Aug 1984}} He debuted in the 800 metres in September 1984, running 1:55.3.{{cite web |title=Jackie cottons on to a title |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-post-3-am-ed-jackie-cottons-o/159354855/ |publisher=Daily Post (3 a.m. ed.) |access-date=19 November 2024 |page=26 |date=11 Sep 1984}}

Thomas competed at and won several international meets, including qualifying for two meets in China in 1985.{{cite web |title=Harrier jets out to China! |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/liverpool-echo-harrier-jets-out-to-china/159355668/ |publisher=Liverpool Echo |access-date=19 November 2024 |page=43 |date=29 Aug 1985}} Following a stint for the Iowa State Cyclones track and field team in the U.S., Thomas returned to Liverpool in 1987.{{cite web |title=Mark's quickstep to double triumph |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/liverpool-echo-marks-quickstep-to-doubl/159357238/ |publisher=Liverpool Echo |access-date=19 November 2024 |page=71 |date=30 Apr 1987}}

Thomas competed at his first continental championship in 1987, placing 4th in his heat at the European Indoor Championships 400 m. Later that year, Thomas was selected for the British team at the 1987 World Championships in Athletics, set to compete in the 4 × 400 m.{{cite web |title=Marking out road to Roman triumph! |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/liverpool-echo-marking-out-road-to-roman/159357846/ |publisher=Liverpool Echo |access-date=19 November 2024 |page=67 |date=20 Aug 1987}}{{cite web |title=Ticket to Rome tonic for Mark |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/liverpool-echo-ticket-to-rome-tonic-for/159357759/ |publisher=Liverpool Echo |access-date=19 November 2024 |page=32 |date=3 Aug 1987}} Thomas led off his team to a heat win and runner-up position in the semi-finals, but him and Todd Bennett were both substituted out by Derek Redmond and Roger Black in the finals. Nonetheless, the team won the silver medal, making Thomas the first Liverpool Harrier to medal at the World Athletics Championships or Olympics. Thomas was disappointed at being replaced in the finals, and he was not immediately given his medal as only four were awarded at the championships.{{cite web |title=Relay star Mark's back with mixed feelings |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/liverpool-echo-relay-star-marks-back-wi/159358195/ |publisher=Liverpool Echo |access-date=19 November 2024 |page=32 |date=8 Sep 1987}}

Now representing the Birchfield Harriers, Thomas won his only British senior title at the AAA Indoor Championships in the indoor 400 m. He followed that up with another showing at the 1988 European Indoor 400 m, where he again finished 4th in his heat and did not advance.{{cite web |title=ON YOUR MARK! |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/liverpool-echo-on-your-mark/159358832/ |publisher=Liverpool Echo |access-date=19 November 2024 |page=65 |date=3 Mar 1988}}

Thomas qualified for the finals of the 1990 European Champion Clubs Cup, but he did not compete due to work obligations at the Liverpool J.M. Centre.{{cite web |title=MARK'S RAY OF MERSEY SUNSHINE |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/liverpool-echo-marks-ray-of-mersey-suns/159359276/ |publisher=Liverpool Echo |access-date=19 November 2024 |page=23 |date=4 Jun 1990}}

Thomas was born 12 May 1965 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England. He grew up in Sefton Park, Toxteth, Liverpool, England where he was a member of the Liverpool Harriers athletic club.{{cite web |title=Mersey trio set for Viking assault |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/liverpool-echo-mersey-trio-set-for-vikin/159354215/ |publisher=Liverpool Echo |access-date=19 November 2024 |page=32 |date=18 Jul 1984}}{{cite web |title=Liverpool Harriers & AC World Championship Representation |url=https://www.liverpoolharriers.co.uk/olympics-world-championships/ |website=Liverpool Harriers |access-date=19 November 2024}} In July 1983, he was injured in a car accident causing him to miss competition.{{cite web |title=Mersey hot favourites lead Schools assault |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/liverpool-echo-mersey-hot-favourites-lea/159353632/ |publisher=Liverpool Echo |access-date=19 November 2024 |page=15 |date=6 Jul 1983}}{{cite web |title=Harriers wing in on top spot |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/liverpool-echo-harriers-wing-in-on-top-s/159353696/ |publisher=Liverpool Echo |access-date=19 November 2024 |page=25 |date=8 Sep 1983}}

He did not return to full health from the accident until mid-1984. Thomas disliked travelling internationally for competitions due to the cold weather, and he spent most of his time in Liverpool.

Thomas went to college in the United States, competing for the Iowa State Cyclones track and field team.{{cite web |title=Dave on mission to gain selection boost |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/liverpool-echo-dave-on-mission-to-gain-s/159356038/ |publisher=Liverpool Echo |access-date=19 November 2024 |page=49 |date=19 Jun 1986}}{{cite web |title=Margaret stuns golden champ |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/liverpool-echo-margaret-stuns-golden-cha/159356281/ |publisher=Liverpool Echo |access-date=19 November 2024 |page=24 |date=11 Aug 1986}} After his return to Liverpool in 1987, Thomas was known for achieving success despite not having a coach, and was labeled a "Do It Yourself Champion".{{cite web |title=No coach, but Liverpool Harrier clinches record |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/liverpool-echo-no-coach-but-liverpool-h/159357458/ |publisher=Liverpool Echo |access-date=19 November 2024 |page=31 |date=29 Jun 1987}}

Thomas quit the Liverpool Harriers in September 1987, transferring to the Birchfield Harriers instead.{{cite web |title=Mark quits Harriers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/liverpool-echo-mark-quits-harriers/159358406/ |publisher=Liverpool Echo |access-date=19 November 2024 |page=50 |date=9 Sep 1987}}{{cite web |title=Mark seeks Scottish boost for Budapest |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/liverpool-echo-mark-seeks-scottish-boost/159358635/ |publisher=Liverpool Echo |access-date=19 November 2024 |page=71 |date=4 Feb 1988}}

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Category:Living people

Category:Iowa State Cyclones men's track and field athletes

Category:1965 births

Category:20th-century English sportsmen

Category:English male sprinters

Category:People from Toxteth

Category:Athletes from Liverpool

Category:Birchfield Harriers

Category:World Athletics Championships athletes for Great Britain

Category:World Athletics Championships medalists