Indiana native Justin Gillete won the St. Jude Memphis Marathon on December 1, 2012 in Memphis, Tennessee with a time of 2:35:13.
Justin is member RIF #153 of Run It Fast – The Club, and we had a chance to ask him about his preparation leading up to and victory in Memphis:
“Memphis has always been on my list of races that I would like to experience winning because the race is for a great cause. Since I am a more popular runner than some, I always feel that winning a race that is for such a good cause gives that race a little more publicity.
I entered the marathon several months ago, and briefly considered withdrawing as I had to miss 11 days running in the 3 weeks prior to the marathon due to poison ivy and an injury while cutting wood.
Overall I didnt run as fast as normal but that doesnt diminish the value of winning such a great event.
Prior to the race starting I was not allowed into the elite athlete pre race suite, I used that as motivation during the race.”
It was the 55th marathon win in Justin’s running career. Truly an amazing accomplishment.
Gillette was able to hold off Cookeville’s (TN) Brian Shelton who finished close behind in 2:37:43. Third place went to Greg Lemmon, from Cincinnati, with a time of 2:39:16. It should be noted that Matthew Thomas, from Alexandria, Virginia, was a very close 4th place in 2:39:24.
What an exciting and close field of runners that finished atop the field down in Memphis.
On the women’s side the win went to Angie Zinkus, from Eads, Tennessee, who finished with a time of 2:55:39. Her finish was fast enough to be 16th overall.
Second place female went to Laura Blaylock, from New Orleans, in 3:02:21 with third place female going to Floridian Carrie Pustilnik (3:08:15).
Full List of 2012 St. Jude Memphis Marathon Results
You can follow Justin Gillette on Twitter @gilletterunning
[image by Cindy Rickert via Justin Gillette]
