Mark Thomas

Mark Thomas (born 12 May 1965) is a British former sprinter specializing in the 400 metres. He was the 1988 AAA Indoor Championships winner in his event, and he won the silver medal representing the U.K. at the 1987 World Athletics Championships by virtue of running in the heats and semi-finals.

Career At the 1983 Midland Bank Lancashire County Championships, Thomas won the U20 100 m and finished second in the 200 m and 400 m. He was compared with Paul Dunn, silver medalist at the 1981 UK Athletics Championships. At the British U20 championships in August 1984, Thomas finished 2nd in the 400 m. He debuted in the 800 metres in September 1984, running 1:55.3.

Thomas competed at and won several international meets, including qualifying for two meets in China in 1985. Following a stint for the Iowa State Cyclones track and field team in the U.S., Thomas returned to Liverpool in 1987.

Thomas competed at his first continental championship in 1987, placing 4th in his heat at the European Indoor Championships 400 m. 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.

Now representing the Birchfield Harriers, Thomas won his only British senior title at the AAA Indoor Championships in the indoor 400 m.

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.

Personal life Thomas was born 12 May 1965 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England. In July 1983, he was injured in a car accident causing him to miss competition.

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. 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".

Thomas quit the Liverpool Harriers in September 1987, transferring to the Birchfield Harriers instead.

Statistics Personal best progression + 400m progression # Mark Competition Venue Date 1 47.9 Crewe, England 2 46.54 Karlovac, Croatia