Tomas Abyu

{{Short description|British-Ethiopian long-distance runner}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

Tomas Abyu (born 5 May 1978) is an Ethiopian-born British long-distance runner.

Abyu grew up in the Arsi region of Ethiopia, as a junior he trained with Gezahegne Abera.{{cite web|title=Abyu quick to make a name for himself|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics/abyu-quick-to-make-a-name-for-himself-808396.html|website=The Independent|accessdate=2 October 2016|date=12 April 2008}} Abyu left Ethiopia where his father had been killed in the civil war.{{cite web|author1=Richard Lewis|title=Tomas Abyu runs for his life|url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/sport/athletics/article84502.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003060749/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/sport/athletics/article84502.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 3, 2016|website=The Sunday Times|accessdate=2 October 2016|date=13 April 2008}} He came to the United Kingdom as a political refugee and was given asylum in 2000, becoming a British citizen in 2005.

Abyu made his marathon debut in Manchester in October 2002, winning the event in 2:25:28.[http://www.thepowerof10.info/results/results.aspx?meetingid=0&event=Mar&venue=Manchester&date=13-Oct-02 Power of 10 Manchester Marathon result]

He transferred allegiance in 2006 becoming eligible to represent Great Britain in athletics.

He improved to record a marathon personal best of 2:10:37, finishing second, at the Dublin Marathon in Oct 2007.[http://www.runbritainrankings.com/results/results.aspx?meetingid=9442 RunBritain Dublin Marathon result 2007] The time was better than Beijing Olympic British team qualifying time (2:12), but the Dublin Marathon was not a recognized event, so Abyu needed to meet the qualifying time at the 2008 London Marathon. Unfortunately he finished in a time of 2:15:49, placed 16th and the second Britain behind Dan Robinson.[http://www.runbritainrankings.com/results/results.aspx?meetingid=11828 RunBritain London Marathon result 2008]

File:Thomas_Abyu_2007.jpg