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Thomas was fourth overall in Sunday’s 70.3 Ironman event in Syracuse, N.Y. He is the owner of Personal Training Professionals in Southport.
“I was pretty psyched,’’ said Thomas, the top amateur in Sunday’s race in Syracuse. Professional athletes from Australia took the top three spots. “It was a really hard race. It was hot and humid, and I suffered because the race was so challenging. I’ve never seen so many people walking on the hills.”
Thomas finished the race in 4:22:03, more than nine minutes ahead of the second-place finisher in his age group. The race included a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run. Thomas ran 1:25:57 for the half-marathon.
Thomas won the Pat Griskus Triathlon for the seventh straight time earlier this month. He finished 12th at a race in Maryland and qualified for the Ironman World Championships later this year.
“I feel like my fitness has been coming along a little bit slower than in previous years, but that was by design,’’ Thomas said. “I’m trying to peak for October. Each week I’ve felt like I’m a little more fit.”
He returns to Stamford on Sunday for one of the rare times when family and friends can watch him race near home.
“Whenever I go to a race, I’ll go as hard as I can, assuming my body allows me,’’ Thomas said. “It was a lot of fun last year. It was great to have my family come and watch.”
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