Gold Coast Marathon 2018: Commonwealth Games medallist chasing Aussie cash incentive

JESS Trengove is set to capitalise on the form that propelled her to Commonwealth Games bronze and chase the Australian record for the Gold Coast Marathon.

JESS Trengove is set to capitalise on the form that propelled her to Commonwealth Games bronze and cash in on a “once in a lifetime” incentive to break the Australian record for the Gold Coast Marathon.

Organisers have put up an extraordinary $40,000 incentive to the first male and female to break the 2hr 10min and 2:28 barriers respectively in the 40th anniversary race.

Trengove finished third on the same course at the Commonwealth Games in April, crossing the line in 2:34.09 in hot and humid conditions.

But she hopes the combination of better weather, good memories and strong form will propel her closer to her personal best time of 2:27.01 set in London last year.

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Jessica Trengove of Australia during the Women's Marathon at the XXI Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. Photo: AAP

“I had a couple of weeks to really rest (after the Games) and when I finished my recovery I thought I was hungry for more,” said Trengove, who called the cash incentive a “special opportunity that guaranteed attention” for the race.

“Backing up that soon required me to be mentally fresh and ready for it and obviously I had to tick the boxes physically as well.

“My coach said provided when I got back into training I wasn’t experiencing any niggles, we’d go for it.

“Fortunately I was able to complete those things and here I am really looking forward to Sunday.”

Trengove survived the torture test that was the Commonwealth Games marathon in April, as temperatures on course rose to about 28C, presenting a physical and mental trial for the athletes.

Jessica Trengove has run the half marathon at the Gold Coast on several occasions but will run the full distance for the first time on Sunday. Photo by Richard Gosling

“Based on what I’ve heard and what I see, it won’t be nearly as humid, which will be nice and the temperature is also cooler,” she said.

“I think if everything goes to plan I should be able to run a PB on Sunday.

“I’m just looking to execute these final few days of preparation and race day as planned and see how strong I can be on the day.”

That kind of run could put Trengove in reach of the leaders, something she hopes happens in the final kilometres of the race, where the crowd and memories of her medal-winning effort at the Games will spur her on.

“Certainly there’ll be a sentimental aspect but this is quite a different race. It won’t be run in the same way as the championship as April where it was very tactical and slow to start.

“The pace will be on from the beginning here, so I’ve just got to be smart.”