Jessica Stenson
PRINT PAGE
Jessica Stenson (athletics) won gold in the women’s marathon at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, wearing the green and gold for the first time as a mum. The win saw her join Lisa Martin (1986, 1990), Heather Turland (1998) and Kerryn McCann (2002, 2006) among Australian Commonwealth Games champions in the women’s marathon. She was also the first to finish on the podium on three occasions having won bronze in both 2014 and 2018.
Stenson’s running journey began in primary school in her hometown of Naracoorte in South Australia. In year 7, she was inspired by meeting Benita Willis, but it was only after relocating to Adelaide for her final years in high school that she really began to flourish.
Teaming up with current coach Adam Didyk in 2008, Jessica’s marathon debut in Nagoya in March 2012 saw her crush the Olympic qualifying time and she went on to place 38th in London in only her second ever race over the distance.
The following year she accomplished her best global marathon finish – 13th at the Moscow world championships. She continued her improvement with a bronze medal at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games (2:30:12) and a second Olympic appearance in Rio in 2016 where she placed 22nd. She finished ninth at the London 2017 world championships (2:28:59) – the best result by and Australian woman at a global meet since 1988 – and won a second consecutive bronze at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games the following year (2:34:09).
After giving birth to her son Billy in 2019 and missing the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to injury, Jessica claimed another PB and win at the 2021 Perth Marathon in 2:25:15. In 2023, Jessica had a second child Ellie, then lowered her PB yet again to 2:24:01 in Daegu in April 2024, the sixth Australian to meet the Olympic entry standard. At the Paris Games, she spent a short time in the lead at the halfway point, running strongly to finish 13th (2:26:45).
Jessica’s sporting family includes brother Jack Trengove who played AFL for Melbourne and Port Adelaide and husband Dylan who was a national-level middle distance runner. Together, the trio launched Rundies – a sports underwear brand – in 2016.
Stenson has a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from the University of South Australia.
Results History
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Additional Information
Languages Spoken:
No
Education Details:
Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Uni SA
Club details:
Hills Districts Athletic Club, South Australia
Why did you begin your sport?
I enjoyed cross country and saw the opportunity to travel and meet new people. I loved and continue to love aiming to get the most out of myself.
Do you have any pre-competition routines or rituals?
I wear a special piece of jewellery.
What is your most memorable sporting achievement?
Bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and 9th place at IAAF World Championships Marathon in 2017.
Who is your hero / idol, and why? Have you ever met them?
Benita Willis and Lisa Ondieki. I have had the honour of meeting both of them and they have both inspired and suppported me on my Marathon journey so far.
Who has been the most influential person or people in your career and why?
My family and coach. They whole-heartedly support me through every situation and help me to believe and stay motivated during the challenging moments.
Do you have any hobbies away from your sport?
Art and Travel / Spending time in the countryside. I also love catching up with friends of meals and coffees.
What is your sporting ambition?
To continue to love Running and the friendships, places and opportunities it brings. The sky is the limit and I look forward to exploring it further.
