Janesville’s Knox runs his best marathon
Steve Knox turned his second straight appearance in the Lakefront Marathon into his personal best on Sunday.
Knox led a contingent of 12 Janesville runners to the finish line in 3 hours, 37 minutes, 11 seconds. The Lakefront Marathon begins in Grafton ends at the Milwaukee Art Museum.
“It’s an event put on by runners for runners,” Knox said. “It doesn’t have the ‘wow’ factor of Chicago (marathon), but it’s a great course, and it’s well run.’’
The 38-year-old Knox is a 1989 graduate of Janesville Craig High School and works at Lab Safety. Knox began running marathons in 2007 and has completed five, including two Madison Marathons and the Chicago Marathon.
“I hang out with a good group of people, and I just got the bug,” Knox said.
Knox would like to qualify for the Boston Marathon, but he said he is going to have to wait.
“I have to get older,” Knox said. “The qualifying times get slower as you get older.’’
Other Janesville finishers included Lisa Dambach (3:37.11), Michael Scott (3:47.34), Paul Jenkin (3:48.45), Dave Lancour (3:50.23), Ryan Spies (3:57.14), Shannon Gilbertson (4:02.08), Neal Boys (4:03.10), Jillian Peterson (4:21.01), Michael Dambach (4:47.22), Charles Hiller (5:10.53) and Alice Pingel (5:50.40).
A group of area runners from Evansville, Edgerton, Milton, Delavan, Elkhorn and Lake Geneva also completed the race.
Evansville runners included Joe Decker (3:39.08), Jane Decker (3:59.21), Todd Roethel (4:16.45) and Ryan Glante (4:28.47).
Elkhorn runners included Paul Schafer (3:10.06) and Sara Adsit (5:40.14).
Tammy Schmidt (4:19.20) from Edgerton, Richard Addie (3:47.22) of Milton, and Amy Klug, (3:49.3) and Jenn Wagner-Martin (4:42.24) of Lake Geneva finished the race.
Oct 10, 2009 at 7:37 a.m.
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I would like to add my congratulations to all the runners who finished the Lakefront Marathon. The posters do raise a very interesting story about why the YMCA canceled the half marathon and the triathlon held in Janesville for many years. I would really like the Gazette to do a story about this.
Oct 9, 2009 at 9:42 a.m.
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Do you think the Y would ever reconsider?
Oct 8, 2009 at 2:43 p.m.
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This is always very impressive to me since I get winded running down the block. Good job steve from fellow school mate.
Oct 8, 2009 at 9:02 a.m.
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gwbill -- I agree that some strong group needs to come forward. I'm just wondering why the decision was made by the to remove these apparent successful events from their plate. I'd like to watch these and other runners pound local pavement too!
Oct 8, 2009 at 8:52 a.m.
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I think that it is nice to praise Steve but really tacky to criticize the YMCA for not hosting these events. If the posters are serious, they should join like-minded people to provide and promote local activities.
Oct 8, 2009 at 7:55 a.m.
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Also forgot to say - EXCELLENT comment by BIGMIKE - Also wondering why the Y does not support these events and why in the world would you NOT want to have a competitive swim program instead of a swim play area.
Oct 8, 2009 at 7:51 a.m.
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well done Steverino!
Oct 7, 2009 at 10:39 a.m.
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Bigmike – from what I’ve learned it’s not necessarily the Y but the “CEO” of the Y who made the decision to eliminate the races. According to the YMCA mission; “Each local organization tailors the programs to the needs of the communities it serves.” Obviously, DeBoor or the majority of the board doesn’t feel running/triathlons is an important program for our community. Funny that the Y in Beloit doesn't feel the same way. I disagree and will be contacting the Y today. Thanks!
Oct 7, 2009 at 10:26 a.m.
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Be a great story for THE GAZETTE. Go ask the YMCA and it's board why they no longer support the triathlon and the half marathon. If it has to do with the issue of competing, then just make them for fun with no awards. I bet you would still get a huge turn out. Make the half marathon course 2 loops and you woud have a GREAT marathon course for Janesville to support.
In fact we should all be asking ourselves why the Y no longer supports these 2 great events.
Oct 7, 2009 at 10:13 a.m.
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Great job Steve, and congratulations to all the area participants in the Lakefront Marathon!
As far as the YMCA goes, there has been a distinct lack of support for local events that is truly sad in recent years. This was the second summer they did not hold the Janesville triathlon and the Janesville half marathon. Both events were very well attended quality local events that are missed greatly by adult athletes in the area and is a frequent topic of discussion. Both of these events were great for supporting the local community and providing an event that was great for beginners and seasoned runners alike.
The Y has absolutely no events to support local runners and triathletes anymore, it is left to be provided by the surrounding communities of Beloit, Evansville, and Milton to provide quality running and multisport events or we must travel to Madison or Rockford areas and beyond to participate.
When questioned about why they no longer support these local favorite races, the response was that because of their mission the Y does not support competetive athletics. How weak is that?? First of all, basketball, softball. volleyball, etc are NOT competitive sports?? They provide opportunities for those to area children. Secondly, most runners I know are not competing against anyone but themselves and achieving their personal best! I would think that the "mission" of the Y should have something to do with promoting an active healthy lifestyle and providing a good example to kids about how physical activity is a lifetime skill, not just something worthy of attenion when you are a kid. How is it that hosting 5Ks and beyond is in the mission of the Beloit YMCA and other area Y's?
Oct 7, 2009 at 9:01 a.m.
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Cool to see Steve featured here.
Oct 7, 2009 at 8:13 a.m.
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I was just told they do not support either event. What's up with that?!?! Come on Y! Great job runners. Maybe someone can bring an event closer to home for you.
Oct 7, 2009 at 7:36 a.m.
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Does the Y still hold the 1/2 marathon or triathlon in town? I haven't seen anything in the past few years.
Oct 6, 2009 at 9:43 p.m.
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Way to go! Congrats!
Oct 6, 2009 at 8:57 p.m.
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I ran the Lakefront in 3:27.33 in 1993. But after five bypasses, those days are over. I get jealous reading about their exploits. Congrats to all....especially Neil.
Oct 6, 2009 at 7:29 p.m.
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Way to go everyone. Nice job Steve.
Oct 6, 2009 at 6:49 p.m.
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Way to go area runners!
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