Gold Coast Marathon 2018: Jordan Gusman claims Michael Shelley’s race record in 10km

JORDAN Gusman wants to walk in the footsteps of Michael Shelley after grabbing the Gold Coaster’s record in the 10km.

JORDAN Gusman hopes to eventually be walking in the footsteps of Michael Shelley after grabbing the Gold Coaster’s course record in his Southern Cross University 10km win.

The Gold Coast Marathon carnival helped launch Shelley’s distance career as he notched five wins in the 10km, including his 2010 course record of 28min 53sec.

But Gusman sliced 11 seconds from that on Saturday as he crossed the line in 28:42, the win helping erase some of the pain of missing a spot at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Gusman, who shares the same coach as Shelley, targeted Saturday’s race — and record — but was forced to do it the hard way, running by himself after breaking away from the field in the opening kilometre.

10km run winner Jordan Gusman (C) with Runner-up Andy Buchanan (L) and 3rd place Adrian Potter. Photo by Richard Gosling

“I thought some of the other guys would go to the front early on but just from the gun it was apparent that it was going to be me out there going for it and I was happy to do that,” he said.

“Something’s different this year, mentally, and I’m just really challenging myself in racing and competition.

“Every time I get out here I’ve been just really trying to better myself and it’s been paying off.

“Having the same coach as the record-holder here really helps.

“When he’s got so much confidence in his athletes, it starts to rub off on you.”

Gusman and Shelley’s coach, veteran Dick Telford is renowned for being able to help his athletes target a race and he and his athlete were on the mark on Saturday.

“After I missed out on the Comm Games — unfortunately I had bronchitis at the trials and I wasn’t able to compete — I’ve just been targeting some of these winter races in the lead-up to qualification for the world champs next year,” Gusman said.

“They’re just small stepping stones, I guess but I like to make every race count and this one was a big one for me.

“I really wanted to come up here and run well.

“I grew up in Coffs Harbour, so this is always a race that I’ve looked at and looked up to the winners of the 10km and I’ve always looked up to the winners of the 10km, so I was really happy to do it today.”

The 24-year-old was set to head into the Commonwealth Games trials in February as the fastest qualifier in the 1500m before he came down with a nasty dose of bronchitis.

“I’d like to think I would have made it,” he said.

Gold Coast Marathon Saturday.Photo at Southern Cross University 10km Run.Winners Jordan Gusman and Madeline Hills.Photo by Richard Gosling

“There were a lot of people in contention and it came down to the top three at nationals … but I guess that’s just in the past now.

“I was lucky to get back on my feet and have Dick and the medical staff at the AIS help me out and I got back and ended up going to the States for a couple of races and ended up doing a personal bests in the 1500m and the 5km.

“I think that helped me get over having that sense of satisfaction that I’d achieved something this season even though it wasn’t the main goal.”

While the track will be his main goal again next year, his 10km win on the Gold Coast could help Gusman convince Telford he can step up to the 5000m and 10,000m on the track.

“I’ll race either the 1500m or the 5000m or even the 10,000m now, who knows,” he said.

“I’ve been trying to convince Dick to go more towards the 5000m with some of these races.”