Sport
7 January, 2025
Wilson goes back-to-back
It’s back-to-back triumphs at Maryborough for Ben Wilson, taking out the Caterworx 400 metre Men’s final.
In a high-quality final, Wilson, running off 29 metres, held his nerve to chase down Matt Standfield to win in a time of 47.8, with last year’s 800 m winner Akon Chol finishing in third.
Basking in managing the feat again, Wilson said not much had changed in his preparation from last year, ensuring the same result.
“It’s great. The plan was to make the final, give it another crack this year and see how I went. To be up here again, back-to-back, is amazing,” he said.
“There wasn’t much difference from last year, just sitting around, watching the races, the Highland Games in the middle, have a relaxing day, and get myself ready to go.
“Getting the heat out of the way was the first plan, then relax and get myself warmed up again for the final.”
Wilson had a clear plan to duck in behind to get the draft when he needed the tailwind down the back straight, before pouncing when it was go time.
“It wasn’t too bad down the back straight, I took cover from one of the lads in front of me, but on the front straight, you put your head down, work the arms and give it everything you’ve got,” he said.
Wilson said it was needed to beat what he felt was a very good field.
“It’s a great bunch of guys racing. The heat times were real close, so I was expecting it to be a close final. I definitely wasn’t going in there with the quickest time,” he said.