2003 Season

JAMES THIE

2003 Season

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Thie signs with Flynn Sports Management

25th March 2003

James was delighted earlier this week to have the opportunity to work with Ray Flynn, head of Flynn Sports Management. This deision came on the back of a flurry of interest following James's stream of successes in Britain and the US. Ray Flynn - a world class miler himself, running no less than 89 sub-4 minute miles plus his reputation and currently signed athletes, gave James an opportunity that could not be missed. The deal will enable James to continue his appetite for running in the US while not forgeting his roots in the UK. To link to James's profile on the Flynn Sports Management website click here.

Thie is National Champion!

AAA's Championships and World Indoor Trials

2nd March 2003

Using his trademark sprint finish he took his first Senior title - lowering his own Welsh Record in the process! Running 3:41.84, Thie past the twice Olympion, Canadian runner Graham Hood, with only 150m to go! Hood, who was chasing his own qualifying time after falling after the first 200m of a 1500m race in Karlsruhe last Friday night, front ran the race from the start. By winning the race James automatically gains selection for the British Team in the World Indoor Championships to be held in Birmingham on 14th-16th March 2003. Thie's splits were 58.0, 1:58.7, 2:59.0, 3:41.84. For full results Click here. In the post race interview with BBC Grandstand, James dedicated his victory in the memory of Chris Brasher, who sadly passed away on Friday. James was also aware of Chris's links and connections with the New York Road Runners Club. James would also like to thank everybody at the Armory, NYRR, NYAC, Coogans, and anyone else who has helped. Read articles on this event in The Independent, The Bristol Evening Post first article and The Bristol Evening Post second article

New PB in 800m!

Manchester Sport City 8th March 2003

After what's been a crazy week in the life of the 24 year old National 1500m Champion - it was nice to doing what he does best - racing! The phone calls and media attention following last week's World Qualifying did not tire James out. The main aim of the race was a last blow out before Birmingham, and to break 1:50.00. The race saw the current Commonwealth Games 1500m champion Michael East also using this event as a warm up to next week. The GB team mates both got their desired performaces with strong runs. East slowed the pace down going through 400m in 55secs and 600 in 1:22.5 and managed to pick the pace up in the last 200m winning in 1:49.28 to James's lifetime PB of 1:49.87- 52nd fastest ever in the UK. Both runners looked like they could have run significantly faster had there been a quicker opening quarter mile.

Thie Storms to Victory in New Balance Mile!

The race was slow to start - no one wanted to break free. James was boxed in at 300 to go - James reflects ' I just kept saying to myself - don't panic - you'll catch them all up - there's plenty of time' He did, and stormed to victory with a time of 4.02! For full results and collection of photos click here.

Bermuda Elite Mile

Picture from Royal Gazette

Thie wins Bermuda elite invitational mile!

Jan 2003

After receiving a wild card entry into the race - James stormed past current record holder Leonard Mucheru (Ken) to finish in first place!

Conditions were bad as the runners battled through high winds. Despite this Thie wowed the crowd with an impresive time of 4:10.21 ahead of runner up Christian Hesch (USA) who finished in 4:13.53. Read all about it in the Royal Gazette or click here for a full set of results.

James Used in BBC News 24 Opening Credits

The image of James winning the Bath Victoria Park 4 mile road race, (October 2002), can be seen in the opening count down to the hourly news bulletin every other hour! The BBC use several shots of James in the race amongst a collage of other current affairs images as their standard introduction to their latest bulletin. You can catch this introduction on the channel BBC News 24 every other hour, just before the hour!

Thie equals PR in 800m!

Thursday Night at the Races - New York, USA 30th Jan 2003

Showing the fine form that he is in this season James front ran the 'Thursday at the races' meet at the Armory Track Jan 30th 2003. He ran 1.50.00 flat after taking the race on from the start. If James can equal his PR on his own, it is a sure bet that James will set new personal bests in his coming races!

Qualified Welshman!!

James has recently changed allegiance to Wales, the country he attended university in for four years and has lived full time for two more years! Wales has been the country that has provided facilities and support for James for a number of years, so it is fantastic that he can now give something back!

Info....

'Penn Relays', Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Friday 25th April 2003

James opened his Summer 2003 campaign with a sucessful couple of days competing in the Penn Relays, Philadelphia. Friday 25th April saw him and his New York AC team mates cruise to an unchallaged win in the Olympic Development DMR. Given a comanding lead before his leg, James had the luxury of running a relaxing anchor mile leg, cloking an easy 4:08.0 split. James comments "It was a nice way to start my Penn career - Our team was strong, it would have been interesting up against some of the big teams, and it's always nice to get a gold watch!" - James had never planned the run the open mile the next day, but felt after the DMR, he had more to give the meet. After some quick talking, to some good friends (In high up places) - a wild card entry was given to James. In an 18 strong field, nobody wanted to take the pace, splits of 62, 2:04, 3:07, saw a tight bunch of runners. The Kenyan, Shadrick Koirie, who had already taken the 5k on Thursday in a world leading time of 13:16 - took the lead with just over 200m to go. By the time, James had emerged from the pack, there was no catching the Kenyan. A solid second for James, in 4:03.86 was a satisfying start to the season. "I never planned to run this race, but after the time trial the day before, I just wanted a race! - and that's what I love to do!"

Congress Road Mile, Austin, Texas.

22nd March 2003

James finishes 4th in time of 3:50 - a solid end to what has been a fantastic season! - James followed the fast early pace of 1:51 1/2 mile split, leading briefly at the 3/4 mile split - James felt great and ready to make his move however, as James comments 'the last 100m I felt perhaps lacked the freshness that I had at the start of the season" - James, travelled only one day after returning from the World Indoor Championships- making the 24hour journey to the American State. "I enjoyed the event - but I am now looking forward to getting some hard training done - so my outdoor season will be as successful as my indoor"

IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships

March 14-16th 2003

James runs seventh fastest time in the heats clocking a PB and a new Welsh record with a time of 3:41.18! In a rough set of heats where even defending champion Rui Silva failed to qualify, James ran remarkably well - just two positions off the qualifying mark. A magnificant effort considering that this was his first major championships! After the race James had mixed feelings - he knew that running a PB, Welsh record, and clocking a faster time and better position than some of the world's best is good - but showing his world class mentality - James felt that now he has some major championship experience under his belt - he still has much more to give! For full results of the heats click here.

(Picture from South Wales Echo 18/2/03)

NYRRC CHALLENGE CUP MILE
Saturday 15th Feb 2003
James sweeps in at 1st place smashing yet another Welsh record with a time of 3.57.71 forcing opposition such as Eliud Njubi (Westchester TC/ Kenya) 3:58.72, and the well documented Nike sponsored Alan Webb 3:59.49 to settle for the runner up positions. James comments 'I knew I was in good shape, and was ready to run a fast mile - but my main aim was to win the race, that's why I sat in as long as I did, and didn't help too much with the pace. Really pleased with how I felt and how strong I finished, which gives me alot of confidence going into the AAAs in a couple of weeks. The support was fantastic in New York - with so many friends in the Armory, it's like a home track to me. Most important is that I am enjoying everything!' Click here for full results. Read 'Runners World' indepth interview with James. Below are links to some of the press articles for this event.

Shanghai Daily, USA Today, New York Post, The Washington Times.

THIE SETS WELSH RECORD!

Lansing Linde Severnside Trophy Indoor International - NIAC, Cardiff

History was made on Sunday as Thie won the 1500m in a time of 3.42.28! - Setting a new national record and staking his claim for a place at the World Indoor Championships next month.The exciting race thrilled the home crowd as they cheered him on to smash the previous Welsh record of 3:43.0 held by Malcolm Edwards from 1984! The race was paced by the unselfish Matt Shone, who had earlier finished second in the 800m. To make the achievement even more amazing, Thie had only arrived back from the USA at 2am that morning! The race was so spectacular that the sponsers, Langsing Linde Severnside Ltd, awarded James 'athlete of the match'.

To read more about Thie's race click here for the BBC's article or click here to read UK Athletics commentry. For full results click here.

Millrose Games

Madison Square Garden, NY, USA -Friday 7th Feb 2003

James finished just behind Olympic 1500m Champion Noah NGENY (Kenya) in his latest adventure, at the Verizon Millrose Games in the famous Madison Square Garden, New York, USA, on Friday 7 February.

Given a late entry into the illustrious Wanamaker Mile after he won the elite mile at the New Balance Games in New York, USA, on Friday 31 January, Thie finished fifth in 4:03.41. The race was won by Bernard LAGAT (Kenya) in 4:00.36. NGENY in fourth clocked 4:02.92. For full results of the meeting click here Click here to view photos of the race.


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