Heather Thomson (athlete)

Heather Thomson (second marriage to Matthews ; * 1946 ) is a former New Zealand middle and long distance runner .

In 1968 she married the cyclist Richie Thomson , from whom she was trained for a few years before she was finally cared for by Arthur Lydiard .

At the World Cross Country Championships in 1973 in Waregem, she came in 28th place. In 1975 she was sixth at the Cross Country World Championships in Rabat and won silver with the team. In 1977 in Düsseldorf a 13th place in the individual ranking and team bronze followed.

In 1978 she won silver over 3000 m at the Commonwealth Games in Edmonton . At the Cross Country World Championships in 1979 in Limerick, she finished 20th.

She paused for a few years because of a foot operation. After starting a running group with her second husband Jeff, she competed again and in 1985 won the Rotorua Marathon in 2:48:00 h.

In 1969 she was New Zealand champion in the mile run , in 1973 and 1975 in cross country and in 1978 and 1979 over 3000 m.

After a professional life as a display designer and interior designer , she began studying art at the age of 58 and is now working as an art teacher.

Best times

• 1500 m : 4: 16.6 min, March 13, 1976
• 3000 m: 9: 07.4 min, March 18, 1978, Auckland (former New Zealand record)

Web links

• Heather Matthews - Art tutor , portrait by Terry Moore in Local Matters