Albie Thomas

Albert George "Albie" Thomas OAM was an Australian middle- and long-distance runner who set world records at two miles and three miles. He was born in Hurstville, New South Wales.

Career

Thomas set a new world record for three miles at Santry, Ireland on 9 July 1958. He returned to Santry later that summer. On 6 August, he was the pacemaker in Herb Elliott's mile world record of 3:54.5; he had enough strength left to finish the race in 3:58.6, his first four-minute mile. The following day, he ran two miles in 8:32.0, also a world record.
Thomas competed in the Olympics in [Athletics at the Athletics at the 1956 Summer Olympics|1956 Summer Olympics|1956], 1960 and 1964, running 5000 metres on all three occasions and also participating in the 1500 metres the latter two times. His best Olympic finish was a 5th place in 1956. He also competed in the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in 1958 and 1962; in the 1958 Games in Cardiff he won a bronze medal in the mile run and a silver in the 3 mile race.
Albie was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia, Australian Sports Medal, Centenary Medal, and has been admitted to the New South Wales Government Hall of Champions. He was awarded a Merit Award and conferred with Life Membership of St. George District Athletics Club.
Thomas died, aged 78, on 27 October 2013.