HE was on the recovery from sickness but nothing could shake Bathurst’s Wes Gibson on his way to victory in Sunday’s Wentworth Falls Trail Run.
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In his first race in almost half a year Gibson completed the 16 kilometre course in one hour, 23 minutes and 40 seconds.
Gibson was thrilled to come away with that time considering the trouble he had been through in the lead up.
“I didn’t expect to finish that fast. I had pneumonia at the end of January so I was less than a month back from that,” he said.
“I started off measured and worked my way into the run, and ended up being only 10 seconds off my best and 20 seconds off the record. To get a win in a time like that was great.
“It’s a course that’s suited for me. I’ve had three or four runs at it now and done well each time.
“I just need to try and hold myself together now through the rest of the summer.”
Gibson beat 186 other contenders to the prize over the event’s long course race.
The win was a dominant one for Gibson, who finished two minutes and 17 seconds clear of nearest contender Jaymz Hingert.
“The result on the weekend shows that the way back is good for me. I’ve got the Six Foot Track 45 kilometre race coming up, though I don’t know if I’ve done enough to race well as I would hope to there.
“I’ve started coaching a bit lately as well and I’ve put more time into that. It’s pretty much full bore now. I’ve got runs every week from this point.
“The Ultra-Trail Australia is coming up in May. Aiming to get myself to the start line, fully fit and ready to go for that is something that I’ve wanted to do for a while. Everything is now about being ready for that race.
“There’s seven to eight hard weeks of training to get in now.”
The Six Foot Track race, starting at Jenolan Caves, will take place on March 11.
Katoomba’s Ultra-Trail Australia event is now less than three months away, with action starting from May 18 and running through until the 21st.
