Adelaide marathon runner – and Commonwealth Games gold medal winner – Jess Stenson arrives home to warm embraces from family
Holding her first Commonwealth Games gold medal, marathon runner Jess Stenson has touched down on home soil – and her family couldn’t be prouder.
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Adelaide marathon runner Jess Stenson has arrived home to warm embraces from family fresh off her first Commonwealth Games gold medal.
With two-year-old son Billy perched atop her shoulders Stenson, 34, arrived home with husband Dylan almost a week after claiming the gold.
“It was pretty surreal for a few days there,” she said.
“It’s starting to sink in now I think. It’s been a long time coming.”
Stenson, who took home bronze at both the 2014 and 2018 games, said her previous efforts at the games and other meets had taught her some lessons.
“I won bronze in 2014 and 2018 so you sort of build those layers and take on the leanings from each championship and the big one I took into this one was to be patient,” she said.
“I think in 2018 I probably didn’t quite get it right tactically so I feel like I really got the tactics right on Saturday.
“I knew I had really tough competition but I was confident that I’d prepared as well as I could have I just had to get the tactics and my mindset right on the day.
“Physically I thought I had all of the ingredients I just had to get everything else right.”
Having husband Dylan and son Billy by her side was a help for Stenson, who said it was a special moment being able to share the achievement with her young family at the first games since becoming a mother.
“Dylan and Billy arrived and hugging them was incredible,” she said.
“Seeing him (Billy) at points around the course with Dylan was such a driver.
“Although Billy, true to form, didn’t want to hug me because I was sweaty so he sort of pushed back and then after that the medal ceremony was really special. My teammates were there watching me and I got a bit emotional. I’d always dreamt of being on top of the dais singing the national anthem and when I was there I just got a bit overwhelmed and couldn’t get all of the words out but I loved that.”
The South Australian was also quick to pay tribute to her coach Adam Didyk.
“He’s been there for every one of my marathons except for one … and we’ve just learnt so much together along the way and it was just that moment in time where we both just felt so satisfied,” she said.
“He has played such an integral role in my journey as an athlete but also as a person so that was special.”
Stenson’s husband Dylan said he was “exceptionally proud” of his wife’s accomplishment.
“To see her execute a race after … various injury setbacks and motherhood has just been a great reward for perseverance,” he said.
“She’s certainly worked hard for it so it’s great to see that result.
“Having Billy there on your shoulders, he understands it, he’s old enough to know what’s going on so he sees his mum out there.
“Billy hadn’t seen his mum for a few days so seeing her then out on the racecourse and he’s really excited to see her, it’s very special. I think he’s very proud of her.”
Stenson’s mother Deb Trengove, who greeted Stenson with a bouquet of green and gold flowers, said she was pleased to have her daughter home.
“We missed being there on the day which would have been fun but we celebrated with family and friends at one of the hotels and had a really good night,” she said.
Stenson said she was looking forward to winding down and reconnecting with family and her teammates.
“I haven’t felt like running yet but hopefully in a few days I can go for a little jog to flush it out,” she said.
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