Jessica Trengove wins Melbourne Marathon to qualify for Rio Olympics

NINE months of meticulous planning has paid off for Jess Trengove who has qualified for the Rio Olympics after a commanding Melbourne Marathon victory.

2015 Melbourne Marathon. Jessica Trengove heads back along Fitzroy St, St Kilda. Pic: Michael Klein

NINE months of meticulous planning has paid off for Jess Trengove who has qualified for the Rio Olympics after a commanding Melbourne Marathon victory.

The 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist dominated the race, slashing almost two-and-a-half minutes off her personal best with a winning time of 2hr27min45sec — making her the sixth fastest Australian female in history.

“That was what the aim of this year’s marathon was — to show that I can do it, that I can line up for Rio and have a real crack,” Trengove said.

“It’s not just about being at the Olympics to soak up the experience.

“That’s what London was all about — this one is about having a crack.

“I knew I should be able to get this sort of result here if I fuelled myself right and maintained concentration.

“You can have that sort of confidence on the start-line when you know you have done the work, knowing you will run well if you have been smart.”

Trengove, 28, moved from Adelaide to Melbourne in January to ensure she had the perfect preparation for this race.

She was assisted throughout the race by a number of her training group including 2005 world championships 5000m bronze medallist Craig Mottram who paced Trengove to the 38km mark before diverting to his favourite bakery.

Craig Mottram (left) set the pace for Jessica Trengove (background) before diverting to his favourite bakery. Pic: Michael Klein

“He told me he was happy to take me that far as long as there was a bun with his name on it at Domain Rd bakery,” Trengove said.

“I said just tell the owners to put the tab on me and I’ll pay for whatever he wants.”

New Zealander Lydia O’Donnell was second in 2:39:01 sec with Australian Makda Harun Haji third in 2:40:37 sec.

A spot in the women’s marathon next year in Rio is now also on the agenda for Lisa Weightman.

Racing competitively for the first time since the birth of son Pete in January, the 2010 Commonwealth Games marathon bronze medallist won the Melbourne half-marathon, clocking 1:11:00 sec.

“I’m over the moon to run that time and feel so strong,” said the 36-year-old Weightman, who will now target the Olympic qualifying mark in January’s Houston marathon.

“I had no idea how it would go as I hadn’t moved into that phase of training.”

Brad Milosevic, the men’s winner of the Melbourne Marathon. Picture: David Crosling

The men’s marathon was won by Brad Milosevic in 2:16:00, making him the fourth Australian to better the Olympic qualifying mark of 2:17:00 — although only three can compete in Rio.

“It’s six months to the day since I DNF (did not finish a race) in Japan,” said the 26-year-old Milosevic. “It’s an IAAF qualifier, so it puts my name in the hat.

“Rio is the dream but then there’s also the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018.

“I’ve got plenty of years of running left.”

AUSTRALIA’s FASTEST FEMALE MARATHONERS:

1. Benita Willis — 2:22:36; Oct 22, 2006 Chicago

2. Lisa Ondieki — 2:23:51; Oct 31, 2008 Osaka

3. Nickey Carroll — 2:25:51; Apr 18, 1999 London

4. Kerry McCann — 2:25:59; Apr 16, 2000 London

5. Lisa Weightman — 2:26:05; Oct 13, 2013 Melbourne

6. Jess Trengove — 2:27:45; Oct 18, 2015 Melbourne

Originally published as Jessica Trengove wins Melbourne Marathon to qualify for Rio Olympics