A WORLD marathon champion in the fifty-five to fifty-nine-year-old class, Jill Wilkie is the latest to join the race for Bendigo Sports Star of the Year for 2023.<\/p>\n
Wilkie\u2019s feat to run the Chicago Marathon in 2 hours 57.16 minutes in October meant she captured the WADA world title for the first time.<\/p>\n
It was her 14th marathon start.<\/p>\n
\u201cA goal was to beat the three-hour mark,\u201d Wilkie said. \u201cI had run a marathon in under three hours once before, so to do so in Chicago was incredibly satisfying.\u201d<\/p>\n
Among those watching in Chicago was husband, David.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is an amazing supporter,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The WADA age group awards were first run three years ago, but Wilkie missed both previous starts which were in London.<\/p>\n
Her first marathon start was in Melbourne in 2013.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was only going to do the one marathon, but it\u2019s now at 14,\u201d Wilkie said. \u201cAfter the first marathon I thought I would have another go and try to be faster.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since then she has clocked up thousands of kilometres in training and travelling to compete in the world\u2019s six major marathons in Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York, and Tokyo.<\/p>\n
She is one of several Bendigo-based athletes in the Six Star Club.<\/p>\n
In winter she played a key role in Bendigo Bats winning the women\u2019s 50-plus division of the On-backed cross-country series run by Athletics Victoria.<\/p>\n
Just last Saturday it was Park Run at the Bendigo Botanic Gardens in White Hills.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really enjoy running, whether it be competing or Park Run,\u201d Wilkie said. \u201cThere is a great camaraderie, whether you are a long-time runner or new and just keen to have a go.\u201d<\/p>\n
When not running, Wilkie is a radiographer at Bendigo Health.<\/p>\n
Running objectives for next year include the Sydney Marathon in September which incorporate the world age group titles.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A WORLD marathon champion in the fifty-five to fifty-nine-year-old class, Jill Wilkie is the latest to join the race for Bendigo Sports Star of the Year for 2023. Wilkie\u2019s feat to run the Chicago Marathon in 2 hours 57.16 minutes in October meant she captured the WADA world title for the first time. It was […]<\/p>\n