Alumnus: Neil Thomas

Neil Thomas trained with FAST until the end of 2019. Neil joined FAST initially as a parent. He didn’t have any prior running experience, just an interest in supporting his son. Neil quickly learned the core skills and was often complimented on his upright running action. Neil began competing at Summer Series and from there entered the ACT Athletics Track and Field Championships, winning a number of medals. Neil joined his FAST team mates in Melbourne for the 2019 Australian Masters Athletics Championships, representing the ACT for the first time in any sport. Neil was instrumental in the establishment of the UC Athletics Academy and spent many years volunteering at Ginninderra Athletics Club, including as President. Neil is a wonderful exemplar of what it is to be an Alumni of FAST & Active.

• 2019 Australian Masters Athletics Championships: M45 60m (12th) 8.85s (+2.2), 100m (18th) 14.64s, 200m (12th) 30.80s, Discus (8th) 19.36m, Javelin (7th) 30.31m,

• 19/11/2016 Summer Series: 60m 8.64s (+0.5)
• 20/02/2017 AACT Championships: Shot Put 6.58m, Long Jump 4.14m
• 14/10/2017 Summer Series: 400m 1:11.40
• 4/11/2017 Summer Series: High Jump 1.30m
• 25/11/2017 Summer Series: 100m 13.68s
• 27/01/2018 AACT Championships: 200m 29.04 (+0.9), Long Jump 4.29m (+0.6), Discus 30.27m

“I had never done athletics before, although I have done a lot of different sports as a kid and young adult, through having a family, being busy at work and just running the kids around I just dropped out of any active involvement. This was my first season of athletics and it has been awesome. I get to train and race with Eden in a social and fun environment every week and not just taxi him around and watch. With Steve’s encouragement I’ve even been game to compete at the ACT Athletics High noon summer series meets as well as run in Eden’s team in the relay carnival and in February got to compete in the AACT State Championships and even got to race with 2 of the Australian athletes who set RIO Olympic qualifying times at the AIS (still can’t believe they let me run).”