Albie Thomas

Albert Thomas was a top Australian distance runner who was just of the very top level internationally. He competed at three Olympics (1956, 1960, 1964), in the 5,000 m all three times and the 1,500 in 1960-64, with a best finish of fifth place in the 1956 5K. Thomas also appeared at the British Empire Games in 1958 and 1962, winning a silver medal in the 3-miles and a bronze in the mile in 1958. He set two world records, recording 13:10.6 for 3-miles on 9 July 1958 in Santry, Ireland, and 29 days later, broke the 2-mile record with 8:32.0. The day before that mark, he had been the pacemaker during Herb Elliott’s mile world record of 3:54.5, with Thomas hanging on to finish fifth in 3:58.6, his first mile under four-minutes.

Domestically, Thomas was Australian champion in the 3-miles from 1957-59 and in the mile from 1962-65, after Elliott’s retirement. He won 23 New South Wales state titles over distances from one mile to the marathon, from 1957-65 (mile: 1959-65; 3-miles: 1958-61, 1963-65; 6-miles: 1957/65; cross-country: 1959/64, novice cross-country: 1954; and marathon: 1963). He retired in 1966 and began a 27-year career with Qantas, although he continued to run, winning the inaugural World Masters titles in the 1,500 and 5,000 in 1975. He also coached runners, both elite and club athletes.

Personal Bests: 1500 – 3:42.6 (1964); Mile – 3:58.3 (1964); 2 miles – 8:32.0 (1958); 5000 – 13:50.0 (1964); 10000 – 29:21.0 (1956); Mar – 2-29:04 (1963).