Tomas Abyu (born 5 May 1978) is an Ethiopian-born British long-distance runner.
Abyu grew up in the Arsi region of Ethiopia, as a junior he trained with Gezahegne Abera. Abyu left Ethiopia where his father had been killed in the civil war. He came to the United Kingdom as a political refugee and was given asylum in 2000, becoming a British citizen in 2005.
Abyu made his marathon debut in Manchester in October 2002, winning the event in 2:25:28.Power of 10 Manchester Marathon result He transferred allegiance in 2006 becoming eligible to represent Great Britain in athletics.
He improved to record a marathon personal best of 2:10:37, finishing second, at the Dublin Marathon in Oct 2007.RunBritain Dublin Marathon result 2007 The time was better than Beijing Olympic British team qualifying time (2:12), but the Dublin Marathon was not a recognized event, so Abyu needed to meet the qualifying time at the 2008 London Marathon. Unfortunately he finished in a time of 2:15:49, placed 16th and the second Britain behind Dan Robinson.RunBritain London Marathon result 2008
International competition Representing 20062006 European Athletics ChampionshipsGothenburg, Sweden27thMarathon2:20:45
Other Races 2003Loch Ness MarathonInverness, UK1stMarathon2:20:592003Sheffield MarathonSheffield, UK1stMarathon2:27:422006London MarathonLondon, UK16thMarathon2:15:502006Sheffield Half MarathonSheffield, UK1stHalf Marathon1:04:052006Great Cumbrian RunCarlisle, UK1stHalf Marathon1:08:222006Windsor Half MarathonWindsor, UK1stHalf Marathon1:06:272007Watford Half MarathonWatford, UK1stHalf Marathon1:04:502007Four Villages Half MarathonHelsby, UK1stHalf Marathon1:04:562007Great North RunNewcastle upon Tyne, UK4thHalf Marathon1:02:50 (PB)2007Dublin MarathonDublin, Ireland2ndMarathon2:10:37 (PB)2008London MarathonLondon, UK16thMarathon2:15:492008Four Villages Half MarathonHelsby, UK1stHalf Marathon1:05:222009London MarathonLondon, UK19thMarathon2:20:09 2010Loch Ness MarathonInverness, UK1stMarathon2:20:502011London MarathonLondon, UK28thMarathon2:21:25 2011Loch Ness MarathonInverness, UK1stMarathon2:20:502011Windsor Half MarathonWindsor, UK1stHalf Marathon1:10:052012Jersey MarathonJersey, UK1stMarathon2:24:432014Loch Ness MarathonInverness, UK1stMarathon2:22:41
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