Published: October 01, 2006 11:56 pm            

Gillette sharp in defending race title

Justin Gillette wanted to defend his 2005 championship as he competed in the 31st annual Johnstown YMCA Marathon and 10K Race on Sunday.

Gillette simply ran away from the field in the marathon, but the victory should pay dividends in the future.

“The purpose of coming here was to defend (my championship),” Gillette said after running a 2:34 to capture the title. “It is always good to pick up a little extra money. I’m getting married in a few months, so any extra money to pay for the wedding is helpful.”

A resident of Niles, Mich., Gillette’s wedding bells will not peal until May, but his future wife, Melissa Lehman, was also successful in defending her 2005 crown in the women’s 10K.

“The temperature was really nice for running,” said Lehman, a graduate student at the University of Indiana-Indianapolis, said. “Yes, we are getting married, so we’re excited.”

The winner of the women’s marathon was one of the best female runners in IUP history.

Mindy Sawtelle, 33 and the mother of two children, ran a 3:02.23 to finish as sixth overall, No. 1 among women.

“I have just done two marathons this year, one in Fargo, N.D., and this one,” Sawtelle said. “I ran a 3:08 there, so I improved some. I didn’t train for this one.”

Sawtelle graduated from IUP in December and earned NCAA Division II East Region Athlete of the Year last fall, and she earned PSAC Cross Country Athlete of the Year on two occasions. She was an eight-time Division II All-American.

Many of the runners enjoyed the course.

“I like hilly courses because I consider myself more of a hill runner,” said Allen Wagner, the men’s 10K winner and Omaha, Neb., native. “It was a nice scenic course out and back, and I didn’t have any problems with it.”

Two of the men’s marathoners are attempting to run 52 marathons in 52 weeks.

Chuck Engle of Columbus, Ohio, finished second to Gillette.

“I haven’t been able to run for the past month,” Engle said after running a 2:48.53. “I had a shin injury, and I am trying to do at least 50 this year. I got cleared by my physical therapist on Friday.”

Dane Rauschenberg, a native of Titusville, Crawford County, ran his best time of the year, 3:05.10, in his 39th marathon of the year.

Doug Clapper finished first in the adaptive marathon, while Don Rullman was the winner in the 10K adaptive competition.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.