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Dilliner woman proves her drive in Chicago Marathon

By Miles Layton, For The Greene County Messenger 5 min read
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Clara Santucci of Dilliner is an American original.

Santucci, who grew up living in a one-room schoolhouse with her family in rural West Virginia, was the first American woman to cross the finish line in the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 13. She beat more than 39,000 runners who finished the 26.2-mile race that fielded top runners from across the globe.

“Maybe my upbringing made me more determined to run, to compete,” she said. “That determination and drive has gotten me through. When people would have counted me out, I’ve kept going.”

Only a few Kenyans, who are known for their long-distance running, and a Russian were able to cross the finish line before Santucci. But that kind of competition didn’t phase Santucci. She finished ninth place with a time of 2 hours, 31 minutes and 39 seconds.

“I trained hard,” she said. “I knew I was capable of that kind of performance. I’m very happy being the top American woman to finish the race.”

Santucci said she moved from Illinois to Doddridge County, W.Va., as a toddler. The one-room schoolhouse where she and her five siblings lived had no central heat or air conditioning, and hot water could be hard to come by some mornings. Santucci said her mother, Diana, learned how to stretch the food budget through gardening and more.

“We lived a very bare-bones lifestyle — much like the Kenyans,” she said.

Marathon running requires mental and physical stamina. Late into a race, runners tend to hit what is known as the “wall” when their reserves are depleted and it becomes harder to move forward.

The mind plays tricks by rationalizing quitting.

Santucci said running a marathon is different for everyone, but she is familiar with that point in a race.

“That’s when you are running on motivation — when your mind overcomes your body’s physical will to stop. This stage takes all your mental strength,” she said.

“I think about how much I’ve sacrificed and how much my family has sacrificed to get me out there. That keeps me going.”

Depending on who you talk to, Santucci is ranked among a handful of the top female marathon stars in the United States.

“Being the first American across the line was amazing,” said Santucci’s coach, Sean Cleary.

“So far this year, that’s the third fastest American women’s time. My gut feeling is that we will rank between three and six this year.”

Still, Santucci believes she could have done better in Chicago. But second-guessing after a race is a habit practiced by many runners.

“My first thought when I crossed the finish line — I felt like a winner coming in as the first American,” she said. “But you have to take it all into perspective. I’m very happy with my performance, but there was still something left that you want to go for it. I’m going to train harder.”

Most runners would be happy just to finish major marathons like Boston or Chicago.

“She has an uncanny ability to be satisfied with the performance, yet still feel frustration that there might have been more, which is how she might feel with Chicago. She gave it all at the marathon. But in her mind, she wants more.”

Santucci, 26, said runs between 90 to 110 miles a week — often twice a day. On any given morning, rain or shine, Santucci trains on the rail trail between Point Marion and Star City, W.Va. Other times, Santucci runs on the trails around Bobtown or the roads around Friendship Hill National Historic Site in Springhill Township.

“I enjoy the rail trails by the river,” she said. “Bobtown — it’s really pretty out there and running in the fields makes me stronger, too. I have a lot of college memories about running around Friendship Hill with the WVU cross country team.”

Santucci is motivated by the drive to get better, to achieve more.

“Clara calls me after the Chicago marathon and says, ‘I just want more. I’m happy with this. I know I ran well, but I just know I’m better than this,'” Cleary said. “That’s where her motivation comes from. I think it is the underdog in her. She’s the American “Rocky” story.”

Santucci’s goal is to compete in the marathon at the Olympics, which will be held in Rio De Janeiro in 2016.

“That’ll take a lot of work,” she said. “I’m never one to get comfortable with past success. I know there is going to be a lot of work ahead.”

Santucci said she first learned that she may have talent as a runner while in middle school. During a Presidential Fitness test, Santucci said she ran a few laps the gym at the Doddridge County Middle School.

“I was just looking to beat the boys, but I beat everyone,” she said. “Coach said I should consider be a runner, so I joined the cross country team when I went to high school.”

Santucci is driven to prove herself.

“She was born to run long distances,” said Cleary, who has coached several top-notch athletes who have performed on the national and international level.

“There’s few that you know the marathon is going to be their event. We knew that early on when she was in college that she was going to run the marathon.”

Sometimes it is hard to get out of bed of a morning for many runners one time or another. True champions like Santucci charge forward no matter what.

“I get out and run because of my goals — the next Olympics,” she said. “I focus on the long term and the future. Running — you can apply those lessons learned on the trails to the rest of your life. And that has made all the difference in mine.”

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