Christopher Thompson was born in Barrow in- Furness-on the 17th of April 1981.
He has been a superb, road runner as well as a ‘Class’ middle distance track runner and a good cross-country man too so, it is no surprise if I say he has run some very fast domestic races, like the Vitality Big half when he ran 1:01.7, the next man behind, celebrated Olympian Kenenisa Bekele, who did 1:00.22 but Chris Thompson has had some injuries from time to time but has eventually overcome them. I was talking to Chris Thompson this Summer at Parliament Hill, at the Night of the 10k PB’s.
You have been running so well for so long Chris?
“I have been running since I was 14. Since then I have made some amazing friends and been to some amazing places. Running was my obsession and passion and that was, to run as fast as I could. I still want to run quickly. It is part of what I do but, not who I am anymore 24/7. I have a family and a lot of things. Running for me is a rich tapestry of emotions and friendships.”
Your club being Aldershot Farnham & District AC, you obviously must have enjoyed your clubs success in things like the road relays.
”I have fond memories of the 12 stage. I loved the relays which started my running career, that was what it was about.”Over the years he has been fortunate to have had good advice from Mick Woods in his club; John Nuttall; Mark Rowland and Alan Storey. Some of Chris Thompson’s personal best times include 1500 3:41.04; 5000 13:11.51 and 27:27.36 for 10,000. Those are all track times.
There were so very many good performances that he achieved over the years. I asked him if he could point out what his personal HIGHLIGHTS were?
“ Malmo when I was second in the European cross country in 2000. That was a ‘Big’ win for me personally to get a European medal” (European Junior cross country Championships won by Wolfram Muller from Germany 18:56; Chris Thompson 2nd in `19:05. England were 2nd team.)
“ Winning the European Junior Under23 final over 5000. Mo was second.” (It was in Poland in 2003st Chris Thompson 13:58:69;2 Mohamed Farah 13:58.88; 3 Roben Connolly (Ireland)14:03.70)
“ European in Barcelona behind Mo a silver medal.” (2010-Mohamed Farah 28:24.99; 2 Chris Thompson 28:27:33 Daniel Meucci (Italy) 28:27.33. )
“ Qualifier for the Tokyo Olympics in Kew Gardens in 2021 that was huge!’ (The time for Chris winning that marathon for him was 2:10.50, at those British Marathon trials in March 2021).
“ I would say the 2023 London Marathon was a real satisfaction, sacrifice and longevity I guess and to be 10th in the London Marathon at 42!”,