Jack Wightman follows in father Nick’s footsteps winning Ripper Nipper race at Rip to River

Nick Wightman has eight Rip to River wins to his name. And the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree if his son’s first competitive race is anything to go by.

Jack Wightman won the male 7 years Ripper Nipper. His dad Nick Wightman came in second in the 10km but is an eight times winner of the event. Picture: Alan Barber

Jack Wightman has some catching up to do to match the running feats of his father Nick, but he has certainly started well.

Jack took out the Ripper Nipper under-sevens event at the Ocean Grove Rip to River in his first competitive race on Saturday.

The apple clearly doesn’t fall far from the tree given Nick is a household name of the Rip to River with eight wins in the event. Funnily enough, he also took out his very first fun run as a child.

Nick has tasted victory at the Oceania cross country championships, Australian running championships and competed at the world mountain running champs.

Unfortunately Nick wasn’t able to record another win and a father-son double, finishing second in the 10 kilometre race.

But Nick was thrilled to see his son go one better than him.

Eight time Rip to River 10km winner Nick Wightman came second. Picture: Alan Barber

“When I was younger I probably would have been upset about not winning, but when I found out that he won, that made me more happy than winning myself,” Nick said.

“I think when I was about his age I did my first fun run and won it, so that’s when I sort of got hooked.

“He’s asking when the next fun run is, so he’s pretty excited.”

A Geelong Cats fan, Jack wants to be an AFL player when he is older and also loves playing basketball.

But he and his younger brother Lachie have already shown a desire to follow in their father’s footsteps — and their mum Ash, who was a handy runner herself.

“Seeing me win a few races when he was younger, he always wanted to try a race. So when he was old enough for the Ripper Nipper, we asked if he wanted to do it and he jumped at the opportunity,” Nick said.

“His mum was a great runner too so it is sort of in the family. He likes his footy and his basketball, but he is pretty naturally talented at running so I think he'll do that for many years to come.”

Jack will able to pursue whatever sport he pleases as he grows up, but you’d expect to see the father and son continuing to run.

“It is great that I’m still able to run and be competitive when he’s started to run,” Nick said.

“We can run together – haven’t started training or anything yet, but when he gets older I’ll still continue to run and help him train if that’s what he wants to do.”

Originally published as Jack Wightman follows in father Nick’s footsteps winning Ripper Nipper race at Rip to River