Olympic long-distance runner Benita Willis puts her traditional Richmond home on the market

Australian long-distance runner Benita Willis is selling the Richmond house she’s owned for 17 years.

The four-time Olympian has put the traditional brick house on the market and is hoping to get between $1.8 to $1.9 million for it, reports Realestate.com.au. 

Benita, 42, told Property Confidential that she snapped up the property shortly after winning a gold medal at the 2004 cross country championships for $730,000. 

‘It’s hard to sell because it’s such a great house,’ she said.

‘It’s huge, it has a balcony overlooking the MCG. It was close to all out training locations – I used to run around the tan, Yarra Park, Fawkner Park and Yarra Park.’

The old-fashioned brick house features high ceilings, ornamental fireplaces and other period features, and had ample space that enabled Willis to train and study.

The property’s interior size was expanded by a previous owner who renovated the home.  

Benita points out that the house is ideally located near Richmond’s local shops, eateries and public transport.

The location of the home, which is a major selling point, provided extra convenience for the former athlete during the 2006 Commonwealth Games held in Melbourne.

Instead of residing at the village like the other athletes, Benita was allowed to stay home and simply commute across the road to train and compete. 

‘I stayed at the house and walked across the road to the MCG.’

‘People like Mo Farah, who has gone on to win Olympic gold, have been in that house, and world-record breaker Haile Gebrselassie from Ethiopia – they loved that spot as well,’ she added.

The retired athlete resided in the property until 2010 when she moved to Colorado for the London Games.

It has been an investment for her since.

The auction for the cosy, period is scheduled for November 13.