Cardiff’s James Thie produced a trademark kick to claim gold at the World Indoor Masters Athletics Championships in Poland.
The former Wales and Great Britain international middle distance star claimed the M40 1500m title in a time of 4:07.33 on Saturday.
Placed second going into the final lap, the director of athletics performance at Cardiff Metropolitan University, timed his finish perfectly to surge away from Spain’s Juan Antonio Gil and claim gold in a season’s best time.
Thie surged to victory with his wife, Alex, and children Bella, eight, and Elliott, six, watching trackside.
World champion husband ❤️ https://t.co/AA9rEavMBF
— Alexandra Thie (@ThieFamily) March 30, 2019
“I’m delighted to take the gold and add to the three M35 golds from five years ago,” he told Dai Sport.
“Funny, a lot has happened in that time, but I’m still out there and I loved having the support of my family trackside.
“That’s one of the reasons to still run. It’s for them, to travel to fun places and show them what Dad use to do as a day job!
“It was great also to have all the comments from my coaching group, work and friends and family. Everyone has been so nice- too nice!
“I’m a busy guy but running gives me 30 minutes a day that’s mine. Today was a little over four minutes and was for everyone who has helped or supported me!”
Thie reached the final by winning his heat on Friday evening in a time of 4:11.50, ahead of Francesco Nadalutti, of Italy.
And his performances in Poland will set a perfect example not only for the students at Cardiff Met, but also for his highly successful Team Thie training group.
The Cardiff-based group features a number of international athletes including the likes of European Junior 1500m Jake Heyward champion and European, Commonwealth and World Championship steeplechaser Ieuan Thomas.
Thie is no stranger to success on the international stage. In a successful senior career, in which he shone on both sides of the Atlantic, the New York AC and Cardiff AC athlete finished fourth in the 1500m at the 2004 World Indoor Championships and was a European Indoor Championship 1500m finalist in 2005 and 2007.
He also represented Wales at the Delhi and Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
In 2014, he was World Masters Indoor Champion at 800m, 1500m and 3000m.