Stunning run lands Birtwhistle silver

COMING into the final run leg flagging in 12th place, Jacob Birtwhistle gave himself little chance of becoming Australia’s first medallist of the Gold Coast Games.

After a gruelling bike leg spent chasing a breakaway, a top 10 finish wasn’t even looking likely.

But the 23-year-old Tasmanian put together a run leg for the ages, reeling in all but one — South African Henri Schoeman — to claim silver. It was a brilliant performance considering the calibre of those he left in his wake.

The lead group of six — which included Brownlee brothers Alistair and Jonathan — entered the run leg 30 seconds ahead of Birtwhistle’s pack.

“I honestly thought I’d be struggling to finish in the top ten or top eight,” Birtwhistle said.

“Those guys up front, they’re the strongest swim- bikers in the sport. In saying that, they’re bloody good runners too.

“I thought I’d be able to close the gap, I didn’t expect to pull that many back, I guess, and run my way to second.”

The result went some way to making amends for missing out on the team for the Rio Olympics, which he admits may have come a year too soon in his development.

It also gave him bragging rights as Australia’s first medallist on the Gold Coast.

“It’s amazing. There’s going to be plenty more [Australian medallists] but pretty awesome in my first Games’ experience to get a medal on day one.

“It’s a huge relief off my shoulders, I’ve been working towards this for a long time and to be able to come here and execute a race like that I couldn’t ask for much more.”

Cheered on by his parents Alan and Carmen, sister Alix and girlfriend Millie Wyllie, Birtwhistle will now turn his attention to the team relay, in which he helped Australia claim a world championship last year.

“Next is to prepare for the relay on Saturday, I’m really excited for that,” he said. “It’s becoming a huge event in triathlon.” MORE REPORTS, GAMES LIFTOUT

Pretty awesome in my first Games’ experience to get a medal on day one.

JACOB BIRTWHISTLE