Marathon of nines line up for Trengove

JESS Trengove has channelled a serendipitous affinity with the number nine into the greatest result by an Australian female marathoner in world championships history.

The 29-year-old, who is fast building an impressive record when representing her country, was ninth in London on Sunday in a race won by Kenyan-born Bahraini Rose Chelimo.

She was at the front of the lead pack at the 35km mark. But even after the eventual medallists broke away she passed several runners to finish in two hours 28 minutes, 59 seconds.

It was the second standout performance by the 29-year-old Trengove at a world championships, following her 11th-placed finish in the marathon four years ago in Moscow.

She also claimed the bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. “I just felt good out there,” she said on Sunday.

“It was the first marathon race where I felt I could respond to the surges and be in control. It was great.” Trengove is the older sister of Melbourne AFL player Jack Trengove, a former Demons’ co-captain.

“This is my ninth marathon and I had a little thing about No.9,” she said. “It’s my brother’s footy number.

“Adam (Didyk) my coach wrote me a little letter before the race, saying he could tell there was something special about this No.9 thing and to run proud out there knowing it’s your brother’s footy number.

“To finish ninth is a fairytale.”