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Gavin Thorley

1947 – 2022

New Zealand long-distance runner

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About Gavin Thorley

Lived 1947 – 2022 (aged 75). Gavin Thorley was a New Zealand long-distance runner.

Gavin Howard Thorley (11 June 1947 – 3 July 2022) was a New Zealand long-distance runner.

Thorley’s first international appearance for New Zealand was at the 1969 International Cross Country Championships at Clydebank, Scotland, where he placed 22nd, the 3rd New Zealander across the line.

His second international appearance In 1971, in a warmup to the International Cross Country Championship in San Sebastián, Spain, saw Thorley win the Belgium Cross Country Championships, ahead of Willy Polleunis, a future European indoor middle distance medalist. However in San Sebastián, Thorley was run into a ditch, robbed of his shoes and unable to finish.

In his warmup to the Munich Olympics, Thorley suffered a severe back injury that hampered his performances and ultimately forced his premature retirement from international level competition.

He competed in the men's 5000 metres at the 1972 Summer Olympics. Later in life he was very active as a volunteer with Special Olympics Kapiti.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Also known as
Gavin Howard Thorley

People in Gavin Thorley's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Gavin Thorley's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Gavin Thorley?

New Zealand long-distance runner

When was Gavin Thorley born?

Gavin Thorley was born on 11 June 1947 in Wellington.

When did Gavin Thorley die?

Gavin Thorley died on 3 July 2022 in Wellington.

What was Gavin Thorley's occupation?

Gavin Thorley was a long-distance runner.

What nationality was Gavin Thorley?

Gavin Thorley was New Zealand.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Gavin Thorley

· Wikidata: Q42889507

· DBpedia: Gavin Thorley

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Gavin Thorley. https://biography.guide/gavin-thorley/

MLA: "Gavin Thorley." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/gavin-thorley/.

Chicago: "Gavin Thorley." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/gavin-thorley/.

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