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 As children we may dream about what we’d like to be when we grow up. For some of us our dreams change, we out grow them or they are never realized.
At 45, as a top masters sprinter, Gianna Mogentale is living hers. A False Start
As a young girl growing up in New South Wales, Australia Gianna loved to run and pleaded with her parents to let her join a running club.
They were first generation Italian immigrants and there was no money for sport. Their priorities were school, work and saving.
Gianna Mogentale
Australian Masters Champs '09 Once her Dad took her to an athletic club but decided it was too far to drive so that was that. “I was brought up so strict as a child,” she says, and then smiles. “The kids of today just seem to get everything from us.”
A New Partner, a New Life
Years later, after marriage, two children and divorce, Gianna was playing basketball and met her partner Gary Kidd. He was coaching the men and women’s basketball teams for the University of Wollongong. In his younger days Gary was a 100m sprinter and a very good football player. He was what you might call a good all-rounder. Plus he loved sport and helping others out.
At 36 Gianna became frustrated with basketball. Despite her ability and possibly because of her age, she was continually looked over for state team selection. Gary suggested she try another sport. Remembering her love of running Gianna thought she’d be too old for that too.
However, Gary knew all about Masters competition and took Gianna down to his old running club, Illawarra Blue Stars. She started training and soon was running well and even placing in some races. This drove her to train even harder.
“In 2001, two years after taking up running again, I won my first national medal at the Australian Masters Championships in the 100m. That same year the World Masters (WMA) Track and Field Championships were held in Brisbane. As I took my place on the blocks for the W35 100m final, surrounded by top athletes from all over the world, I couldn’t believe I was there. When I won Gary and my coach Valmai Loomes, were ecstatic. I was a world champion!”
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 Burning the Track
Gianna has since competed in the WMA champs in Spain and Italy, adding more medals to her collection.
She’s won numerous State and Australian titles, going undefeated in her age group in the 100m for eight years.
Photos courtesy of Gianna Mogentale She’s picked up many sporting awards and was the oldest woman to make the NSW (State) Open 100m final. Gianna also holds the Australian records in the W40/W45 60m and the W40/W45 100m.
Still, with all her success, Gianna is a reluctant star. “I don't like being the center of attention.” But with an email of “track burner” you know she’s not running for second place.
Fitting It All In
For many of us there never seems to be enough hours in the day to get things done. The mother of two, Rebecca aged 18 and Joshua 15, Gianna works full time as a Legal Support Officer for Legal Aid NSW. It’s hard to find the time to train. “I'm always running around after the kids, making sure they get what they need, or taking them wherever they need to go. But running’s my outlet and stress release. If I didn't run I’d be real cranky.”
Behind Every Woman
Gianna and Gary have been together for 12 years. “He’s my greatest supporter. On the days when I’m not at the track with my coach, Gary’s always there with the stopwatch, keeping me honest. He drives me to all my competitions and is always spurring me on. He’s a great motivator.”
Gary said that he’d quit smoking if she ever broke 13 seconds. “In 2007 I ran 12.26 and set a new Australia W40 100m record. But he still hasn't given up smoking and I don't think he ever will!” Top of Page Family and Friends
As well as Gary, Gianna has a support group of people both on and off the track. Her coach Valmai Loomes gets her to peak at the right time with her training programs. Over the years, her training partner John Van Stappen 58, (“Old Man” as she calls him) joins her for workouts.
Her kids and parents are always there to give a helping hand. Daughter, Rebecca comes along to all her major meets, videos her races and takes a lot of photos.
Relatives back in Italy ring her parents when another story about Gianna’s triumphs appear in the local Italian newspaper. “My mother's friends are always cutting out the clippings and giving them to her. But sometimes Mum thinks that I should give up the running and look after my family and home. Dad doesn't say much, but I know he’s proud of me. Whenever he introduces me to his friends he always says, "This is my daughter Gianna - the one that runs".
Running Idols
“I’ve always admired Aussie sprinters Raelene Boyle (triple Olympic silver medallist) and Melinda Gainsford-Taylor (World Indoor Champion) and wished that I could run like them.” Another inspiration is Anne Cooper (W75) a South Australian sprinter and one of Australia’s inaugural Masters Hall of Fame inductees. “I’d like to think that when I reach her age I could be just as fast and fit and still love and enjoy the sport as much as she does.”
A New Age Group, A New Challenge
At the 2009 Australian Masters Championships in April, Gianna celebrated her new W45 age group by setting herself a challenge. “I decided to try something silly and do all the running events from the 60m to the 1500m.” She’s a sprinter; people couldn't believe she could do what she was doing.
She’d run the 800 and 1500m in high school since “no one else would do them.” But this was Gianna’s first attempt as a master at the middle distances. “I guess I’m just lucky that I could race these without any distance training. I was actually quite nervous before the 1500. My game plan was to let the rest of the field set the pace and just hold on.”
Gianna won all her running events: 60m, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and the 1500m along with the long and triple jumps. She also got two relay golds. To top it off, Gianna won the Women’s Champion of Champions 100m. It’s a special all-age, handicapped sprint in which the top ten age-graded performers in the 100m finals fight it out for the title of best sprinter. Even though Gianna has won this title before she wasn’t confident that she could do it again, as she’d just run the 400 a half hour earlier. “I didn’t think I’d even place this year as I had three young guns right there almost beside me.
 Freezing Her Way to Finland
Most sprinters will tell you that sprinting is no fun in the cold. While masters athletes in the northern hemisphere are enjoying summer training, spare a thought for those Down Under who are battling through winter preparing for the World Masters Championships in Finland this July/August.
Gianna lives in Wollongong, New South Wales and absolutely hates the cold. “I just cannot function in it. I’m so over running in the rain. My body’s starting to ache but that might be because I'm getting old!”
But with the World Champs looming she’s not about to quit. Gianna has signed up for the 100m, 200m and 400m and hopes to run the relays.
Editor's Update: Gianna Mogentale collected three individual and two relay medals at the World Masters Championships in Finland. She came home with three bronze medals; W45 100, 200 and 400m. Gianna was part of the winning Australian W40 relay teams with golds in 4x100 and 4x400m.
Back Home for More Racing
There won’t be much of chance to rest after Finland. Gianna is gearing up for the World Masters Games in Sydney this October. In her home state surrounded by family, friends and teammates she’s sure to be a favorite to burn up the track again.
Editor's Update: Gianna Mogentale's successful 2009 continued in Sydney. She won golds in the 100, 200 and 400m and silver in the 800m and long jump.
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Well Done Gianna!
Gianna is a wonderful athlete and a humble champion. I look forward to her gracing the track and breaking records for many years to come.
:-)
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