title: Thom Hunt
text: # Thom Hunt
  
  Thom Hunt (born March 17, 1958) is a retired distance runner who specialized in various events from the 1500 meters to the marathon. He represented the United States in international competition and was particularly prolific in cross country running. He was the junior runner-up at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in 1976 and won in 1977. He currently coaches Women's Cross Country at Cuyamaca College.
  
  ## Running career
  
  ### High school
  
  Hunt attended Patrick Henry High School of San Diego, California, where he ran cross country and track. He set the high school indoor mile record at 4:02, which lasted until Alan Webb broke it in 2001. Overall, he set multiple high school records for the state of California, and recorded a personal best of 8:45.2 in the 2-mile by the time he graduated.
  
  ### Collegiate
  
  Hunt attended and ran with University of Arizona. During his time in college, he would earn four All-America honors in cross country, and three in track and field. He also set school records in the 3000 meter steeplechase and 5000 meters.
  
  ### Post-collegiate
  
  Hunt finished in first place among men at the 1986 Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run in a time of 46:15. On May 4, 1986, Hunt ran his personal best time of 2:12:14 at the New Jersey Waterfront Marathon, finishing in second behind Bill Donakowski. On September 23, 1990, Hunt won the 48th Aztec Cross-Country Invitational as an unattached runner, running the 8-kilometer course in 24:13.98 at the age of 32.
  
  