Jess Stenson ready for City-Bay return after Commonwealth gold

A lot has changed for champion athlete Jess Stenson since the last time she entered the City-Bay.

Jess Stenson with husband Dylan and son Billy, 3, getting ready for the City-Bay. Picture: Tom Huntley

It’s a long way from the Commonwealth Games in England to the streets of Adelaide.

But six weeks after claiming gold in the marathon in Birmingham, Jess Stenson will lace up her running shoes again for today’s Lumary City-Bay Fun Run.

“The last time I took part was in 2017 due to travel, pregnancy and the recent cancellations so I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to race against some of SA and Australia’s best,” she said. “I had a couple of weeks of rest after Birmingham. Hopefully I’ll feel strong out there but most importantly I want to enjoy it.”

WATCH LIVE: Adelaide City-Bay Fun Run 2022 finish line

Cheering Stenson on from the sidelines will be her two-year-old son Billy and husband Dylan.

“Dylan and Billy will drop me off in the morning ... and will continue on to Glenelg to cheer for us all down Jetty Road. I’ll be hanging out to see them as it always gives me a boost,” she said.

Stenson will be one of up to 20,000 runners, joggers and walkers who will compete in Sunday’s event, which is the first City-Bay since 2019.

It’s part of a super Sunday of sporting festivities, including the SANFL Grand Final between North Adelaide and Norwood at Adelaide Oval.

There will be plenty of action off the field from noon, with Adelaide Fringe artists providing roving pre-match performers, acrobats and stilt walkers in Roosters and Redlegs colours, along with facepainters.

A new collaboration with the City-Bay event also will give entrants in the fun run access to discounted grand final tickets and transport back to Adelaide Oval.

All-day parking for $5 is available at Wilson car parks in the city for all City to Bay entrants and anyone attending the grand final. A kids’ zone in Creswell Gardens, on the eastern side of the ground, will include inflatable activities and a jumping castle. Men’s and women’s state league players will compete in a halftime “dash for cash” while The Advertiser Afterparty, with a DJ, will kick on at The Village Green after the game.