The double Olympian and 2010 European 10,000m silver medalist will officially hang up her boots at the Great South Run.
Chris Thompson has announced his retirement from the elite after two decades as a professional caretaker.
The 43-year-old, who has represented Great Britain at two Olympics and claimed European 10,000m silver medal, will officially hang up his boots at next month’s Great South Run (October 20).
Thompson announced on the BBC live broadcast of the Great North Run (September 8), and later took to Instagram to thank “both the Great Run team and the BBC for letting me cry with joy on TV one last time”. :
The Briton added: “I don’t know where to start. And I’m sure it won’t come as a shock to those who know me, but my time has come to start a new chapter.
“There is not enough space or time to go through all the thanks I want to express. Just know that I will personally thank you all, if not already. As a young man I never imagined the joy and amazing people I would meet along the way. It’s hard to explain what the last 30 years have meant and done for me. I’ll take time to digest and hopefully work it all out.”
Chris Thompson (Running)
Thompson has represented Great Britain at two Olympics, over 10,000m at London 2012 and the marathon at Tokyo 2020.
Making her Games debut on home soil, Thompson finished 25th in the 10,000m in 29:06.12.
Thompson surprisingly qualified for the Tokyo Olympics with a personal best of 2:10:52 in the marathon at the age of 39, just five days after becoming a father to son Theo.
He also won a medal for Great Britain on the international stage in 2010, finishing behind compatriot Mo Farah for silver in the 10,000m at the European Championships.
Thompson made his international debut in 1998 and represented his country in cross country, track and road.
Chris Thompson, Mo Farah and Emile Keires (London Marathon Events)
“I started as an immature, difficult to take seriously, silly billy. I’m proud that I never changed,” Thompson said.
“I’m excited to start a new chapter and can’t wait to finally relax and watch from the sidelines. I will always be a runner and jump around for the odd run or two. But it’s time for the body to rest and set goals around new lifestyles and commitments.
“What’s next? I am not going anywhere. In time, I will be able to develop a new way of working in the sport I love. I will do my best to keep the sport alive for everyone’s dreams as it is for me. If the next chapter is half as good as the last, I’m in for a treat.
“It’s time to start digging out those embarrassing old photos that aren’t digital. But I will try to enjoy these last six weeks and thank everyone. You made it more special than I can imagine.”
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