In a comeback story for the ages, Genevieve Gregson has spearheaded a charge of four formidable marathoners at the Valencia Marathon in Spain, each attaining the coveted qualifying standard for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Gregson (Nic Bideau) held an impressive pace over 42.2km, finishing just her second marathon in a personal best time of 2:23:08 to place eighth and become the third fastest female Australian marathoner of all time.
The triumph marked a significant moment for the three-time Olympian, who less than three years ago sustained a heart-breaking ending to her Tokyo campaign when rupturing her Achilles on the last water jump of the Women’s 3000m Steeplechase final.
Since that fateful night, she has undergone two Achilles’ surgeries, given birth to her son Archer and made the move to the roads to tackle the most gruelling of events.
“I shocked myself. I felt so good over the last 5k and I made up lots of time. At one point I thought I would be under 2:23 but in the end I just missed it,” Gregson said.
“I have never worked so hard as I have over the last two years. To see my name on that team sheet next year [if and when selected] is going to mean so much.”
Trailing only just behind in 10th place, Isobel Batt-Doyle (Nic Bideau) achieved a personal best, when running 2:23:27 to move to fifth on the Australian all-time list, while Lisa Weightman (Dick Telford), despite subsequently testing positive for Covid, was the third fastest Australian across the line in 2:24:18 in 13th place to add a second qualifier to her run of 2:23:15 in Osaka this February.
Eloise Wellings (Nic Bideau) rounded out the Australian results, completing her eighth marathon course in 2:25:47.
With the triumph comes the challenging predicament for the Australian contingent eyeing Paris. With only three available slots, tough decisions loom for selectors, with Australian record holder Sinead Diver boasting the fastest qualifying time of 2:21:34 from last year’s iteration of the Valencia Marathon.
Over in Japan, Brett Robinson (Nic Bideau) returned to the Fukuoka Marathon in an attempt to lower his own Australian record. Despite a valiant effort, his aspirations fell short in the final stretch, yet still punched his second fastest time with a run of 2:08:29.
Thomas Do Canto contested the Valencia Marathon, registering a time of 2:11:51.
By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 4/12/2023
