Jess Trengove wins bronze in Commonwealth Games women’s marathon with support of ‘Team Trengove’, defying extreme heat

A HOT spa, a boyfriend on a bike, 100 personalised T-shirts in the crowd and just good old fashioned guts and determination carried Jess Trengove to a second consecutive Commonwealth Games marathon bronze medal yesterday.

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A HOT spa, a boyfriend on a bike, 100 personalised T-shirts in the crowd and just good old fashioned guts and determination carried Jess Trengove to a second consecutive Commonwealth Games marathon bronze medal yesterday.

The Adelaide 30-year-old defied the brutal heat that saw other competitors collapse on the course to finish third in two hours, 34 minutes and nine seconds behind Namibian gold medallist Helalia Johannes and teammate Lisa Weightman, who won silver.

But she couldn’t do it alone.

“Team Trengove”, as they call themselves, came from as far as Melbourne and Tasmania and Adelaide and Orroroo to cheer her on over 42km on the Gold Coast.

Waiting on a hired bike at the 35km mark was boyfriend Dylan Stenson, who yelled encouragement as the going got really tough.

Trengove said it felt like supporters were “hugging” her the entire way.

Jessica Trengove of Australia is given assistance after she wins bronze in the women's marathon. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

“I had absolutely nothing left and to be honest from 36km I don’t know what I was running with because I felt empty, the crowd was so noisy it was phenomenal,” she said.

“The T-shirts really stood out and I really loved their support and I could enjoy the race.

“People kept reminding me ‘this has been a huge build up so take some time to soak up the atmosphere’ and I can’t express enough thanks to this home crowd and what they did for us out there.

“It was electric for the entire race, more so than I even expected, they were hugging you the whole way and that’s what got me over the line today.

“The fact that I was running for Australia and my team that got me across the line, it was up there with one of the toughest marathons (she has done) but I’m so thrilled to be able to come home with this (bronze medal) for everyone who has been part of this journey.”

Members of Team Trengove on the course. Picture: Reece Homfray

To prepare for the hot and humid conditions on the Gold Coast, Trengove would sit in a hot spa up to her neck after tough training sessions in Adelaide, and then stayed in Brisbane a week later than teammates before coming into the athletes’ village so she could train with Adelaide running partner Max Stevens.

“It was quite a tail wind for the first half and I was planning to come home strong from 32km onwards, but there was this strong headwind so I tucked in and that started sapping me, and maybe my core temperature was up,” she said.

“It hit me really quickly at about 35km.”

Jess Trengove's boyfriend Dylan Stenson with his hire bike he rode to the 35km point to wait for Jess so he could encourage her home. Picture: Reece Homfray

While eager family and friends huddled around a phone near the finish to watch the closing stages, Stenson strapped on his helmet and hopped on his bike.

“She kind of hinted that a spot around the 35km mark would be good because that’s when you start to fatigue, and it’s just to offer some encouragement or even just to see a familiar face is something to look forward to,” he said.

Trengove’s dad Colin said he didn’t offer any pre-race advice other than to enjoy it.

“I stay out of it pretty well, sometimes you think that no matter what you say it could be taken the wrong way so I just encourage her and keep her relaxed really,” he said.

Her brother Jack played footy for the Port Magpies on Saturday then flew to the Gold Coast that night to her in action. “It’s an incredible effort and inspiring stuff for us,” he said.

“I would have done anything to make sure I was here and got the last flight out, and Jess appreciates the support from her family and friends.

“She does love a nice inspiring note the day before competition, so I just said more than anything have the confidence that you’ve done all the work so try to enjoy it. It’s hard to imagine enjoying 42km in hot weather and running as fast as you can but I think that’s the big thing that gets lost in it all. This is her time to shine and she did it again which is amazing.”

Namibia's gold medallist in women's marathon Helalia Johannes, centre, with Australia's silver and bronze medallists Lisa Weightman and Jess Trengove. Picture: AP / Manish Swarup

The conditions took their toll on the field, including Scotland’s Callum Hawkins who collapsed while leading the men’s race with 2km to go. “It’s unfortunately part of the sport,” Trengove said.

“The marathon is all about fuelling and pacing and reading the conditions because the temperature can change a lot from 8.30 to 9.30.

“It was horrible to see and everyone went silent, and you wouldn’t wish that on anyone and I hope Callum is okay.

“But what (winner Michael Shelley) did today was a fairytale. I got very emotional after being with him in Glasgow when he won the gold and I always thought if he could pull that off in front of a home crowd it would be a fairytale.

“And Lisa’s silver as well, it was very special to be on the podium with her.”

Trengove’s first Commonwealth Games bronze medal came in Glasgow in 2014 and last year she finished ninth in the world championships.