Billy’s Blessing | Stenson Faster a Mum

With the Bananas in Pyjamas theme song blasting through on the other end of the phone, it’s clear that Jess Stenson has resumed normal scheduling just two days after her historic 2:25:15 marathon in Perth – the fastest time ever run by an Australian woman on home soil.  

The two-time Olympian is quick to clarify that it is not her who is the keen fan of B1 and B2, rather her toddler Billy – with the near two-year-old seemingly wreaking havoc as his Mum casually describes becoming the fourth fastest Australian woman in history over the 42.2km trip.  

“I just felt extreme happiness and relief. I made a conscious decision at halfway not to look at the clock, so it wasn’t until the final twenty metres that I realised the time and that I had run a personal best,” she said.

Despite being the 13^th marathon of her career, the run was Stenson’s first after a three-year hiatus from the distance due to family duties, injuries and COVID-19 cancellations – making the 46-second personal best and 2022 World Athletics Championships qualifier even more impressive.

“These experiences develop your resilience. I did at times wonder whether my physical preparation would have me strong enough, but I knew that my mental preparation had been better than ever because of the experiences of the last 24 months. I felt really free and was able to run relaxed,” she said.

Given the circumstances and citing her son Billy for putting life into perspective, the South Australian says she was able channel her best on the day through simply trying to do those in her corner proud.

“It was a really personal race, I felt like I was out there representing all the people who have supported me and I wanted to do it for my team and my family. When I’m running for a reason close to my heart, I tend to get the most out of myself,” she said.

The two-time Commonwealth Games bronze medallist is keeping her options open ahead of a blockbuster 2022, where she will be looking to don the green and gold for the first time since 2018.

“The Commonwealth Games holds a special place in my heart with Keryn McCann’s run in 2006 really inspiring me, and then my positive experiences in Glasgow and the Gold Coast – they are some of my fondest running memories,” she said.

“If either of those two events become an opportunity next year, I would be certainly excited to embrace them. It’s been a long time coming.”

Stenson’s performance cements her position in Australia’s strengthening upper echelon of endurance women, headlined by this year’s Tokyo-trio of Sinead Diver, Lisa Weightman and Ellie Pashley.

“I have so much respect for the female Australian marathoners before me and for the ones that are running at the present, so I can thank them for the inspiration to keep and going and pushing,” she said.

The success builds on a strong and exciting year for the Adam Didyk led Team Tempo, who are creating a strong culture of camaraderie and teamwork to reach the highest level.

“Max Stevens really got the ball rolling when he helped out Clarkey [Matt Clarke] in his attempt to qualify for the Olympics, and when he was selected everyone in the team lifted to another level. To have Clarkey return the favour was really special,” Stenson said.

“I love seeing Adam getting rewarded for all of his hard work, he’s such a dedicated and hardworking coach.”

Stenson says she will now have a well-earned rest before returning to training where she hopes to assist her teammates to reach their goals over the Australian domestic season.

By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 21/10/2021