Race helps to honor late coach

By Pat Neubert

May 24, 2007 Last Updated: May 24, 2007 01:47 PM Sports

Memorial Day is a holiday of remembrance. First and foremost, we remember and honor those who have died in service to our country in the military.

We honor those heroes who gave and continue to give their lives so that we can live ours.

But Memorial Day also can honor heroes on the home front. Kevin Gatons was one of those —- a hero to his family, friends, students and community, a hero whose life ended far too soon.

Last November, as he previewed the State Cross Country Course in Hershey with the Greensburg Salem High School team, the veteran coach collapsed and died of an apparent heart attack.

Gatons, well known throughout the Pittsburgh area as a runner and a coach, left behind a wife, three young children, a team and a classroom of devoted students at Hutchinson Elementary School, where he taught fifth grade.

Gatons began his running career at Hempfield High School. He then attended St. Vincent College on an athletic scholarship, playing both basketball and baseball.

Gatons continued running after college, completing several marathons, including the 1994 Columbus (Ohio) Marathon, where he met his wife Cheryl.

Cheryl is an elite runner who competed for the United States in the World Marathon Championships in Sydney, Australia.

Gatons competed as a member of Pittsburgh's Pharaoh Hounds and added coaching to his resume, coaching cross country and track at Greensburg Salem for 12 years.

As Cheryl Gatons told a Pittsburgh newspaper after her husband's death, "He loved running and he was there for the kids who he was a coach to whenever they needed him."

Gatons was a hometown hero to many, including Jeremy Lenzi, race director of Monday's Kevin Gatons Memorial 5K Run and Walk in Greensburg. It was Gatons who encouraged Lenzi, running his first 5K race at age 12, to pursue running as a sport. Lenzi is the head girls track and field coach at Greensburg Salem High School.

Lenzi is one of a committee of 11 friends determined to make this run a fitting memorial to Gatons. They want it to be a community event that welcomes competition and participation.

Response has been overwhelming, with more than 400 preregistered so far, including more than 20 from Gatons' elementary school.

Day-of-event registrants are welcome, though commemorative T-shirts might be in short supply. Registration opens at 7 a.m. Monday at Lynch Field's Kaufman Pavilion.

The course for the Gatons 5K is certified and should be familiar to anyone who has competed in Greensburg races. The run begins at Lynch Field and loops through almost-level streets of Greensburg.

Kids runs for ages 6 and under through age 10 are run at Lynch Field.

The Gatons 5K is timed by ChampionChip for accuracy. Awards include cash for the top three male and female finishers and masters, and medals for age groups from 13 and under through 70 and over. All participants in the kids runs earn finishers ribbons.

Teams of three high school students can also compete for the Gatons Cup, a memorial trophy to be displayed at Hutchinson Elementary School.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Gatons Children's Fund, a college fund for Gatons' three children, and the Kevin Gatons Memorial Scholarship.

For information about Kevin Gatons Memorial 5K Race and Walk at 9 a.m. Monday in Greensburg, call Jeremy Lenzi at 724-552-6672 or email jclenzi@mac.com.

Also, check out the website www.gatons5k.com for race information and more about Kevin Gatons, his life and legacy.

• Sunday: Brisk 30-minute walk.• Monday: Walk 5 minutes; run 1 minute, walk 1 minute; run 3 minutes, walk 1 minute; repeat for 20 minutes; walk 5 minutes.• Tuesday: Walk 30 minutes.• Wednesday: Repeat Monday's workout.• Thursday: Walk 30 minutes or rest.• Friday: Walk 5 minutes; run 1 minute, walk 30 seconds; run 1 minute, walk 1 minute; run 5 minutes, walk 1 minute; run 5 minutes, walk 5 minutes.• Saturday: Walk 30 minutes or rest.

Friday, 7:15 p.m.: Ogden Mile, Wheeling, W.Va. Also kids fun mile for 12 and under at 7. 304-233-0100, ext. 317 or www.ogden20k.comSaturday, 8 a.m.: Up-N-Running Group Run, Valencia. Non-competitive run, your choice of distance. 724-898-2525 or www.runpa.comSaturday, 8 a.m.: Ogden 20K, Wheeling, W.Va. Challenging course, cash prizes, post-race banquet. Also 5K at 8:15. 304-233-0100, ext. 317 or www.ogden20k.comSaturday, 9 a.m.: Mercer Memorial Mile, Mercer. 724-662-2786 or Parade500@yahoo.comSaturday, 9 a.m.: Heritage Valley-Beaver Fire Truck Cruise 5K, Beaver. Run along the river starts at Beaver Gazebo. 724-773-2046 or www.heritagevalley.orgSunday, 9 a.m.: Dahoga Dash 5K, Wilcox. Level out and back on part paved, part dirt road. 814-965-5482 or lindfurnj@alltel.netSunday, noon: New Brighton Area Memorial Triathlon, New Brighton. Quarter-mile pool swim, 11-mile bike ride, 5K run staged at New Brighton High School. 724-495-9417 or www.nbarc.netMonday, 8:30 a.m.: Ligonier Valley YMCA Tour de Park, Ligonier. Almost level tour of Idlewild Park. 724-238-7580 or www.ligonierymca.orgJune 2, 9 a.m.: Pittsylvania Mile Run-Walk, Pittsburgh. 412-310-2381June 3, 9 a.m.: Greenfield Glide 5k Run-Walk, Pittsburgh. Starts at Schenley Park Overlook. 412-422-8885June 8, 7 p.m.: Riverview Park 5K Run-Walk, Pittsburgh. Challenging run begins at Riverview Park Activities Building. 412-255-2493 or www.riverview5k.comJune 9, 9 a.m.: West Arm Physical Therapy 5K Run-Walk & Youth Biathlon, New Kensington. 724-335-9191 or akoler@vpymca.orgJune 9, 5:30 a.m.: Laurel Highlands Ultra Challenge, Ohiopyle State Park. Run more than 70 rugged miles point to point on Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail. 724-832-1018June 23, 9 a.m.: Butler Road Race 5 -Mile and 2K, Butler. Out and back run through downtown. 724-282-7977 or www.butlerhealthsystem.org/brr.htm

Race for the Cure 5K, May 13: Charlie Ban, 1st Overall M, 15:28; Kaitlin Grimm, 1st Overall W, 18:23; Matt Meurer, 1st 25-29 M, 16:07; Dan Monhemius, 3rd 30-34 M, 19:10; Stacy Woods, 2nd 40-44 W, 22:41; Dorothy Moxie, 3rd 40-44 W, 23:04; Patricia Neubert, 1st 50-54 W, 23:25; Carrie Snell, 3rd 35-39 W, 23:57; Ann Cheman, 1st 55-59 W, 26:22; Margretta Lutz, 1st 75-79 W, 31:08; Margaret Kimpel, 3rd 65-69 W, 38:03; Merle Hughes, 1st 75-79 M, 31:59Phil O'Hara, 20:03; Chris Matessa, 20:06; Matthew Davis, 20:09; Ryan Allen, 20:27; John Nowak, 20:53; Casey Crytzer, 22:10; Joseph Woodhall, 22:18; Samantha Brandon, 22:36; Richard Elias, 22:37; Ryanne Palermo, 22:39; Sarah Thompson, 23:03; Jordan Banyas, 23:11; Lazaras Petcos, 23:51; Tyler Alan, 24:24; Cody Campbell, 24:25; Sarah Petrovich, 24:29; Jenna Banyas, 24:35; Bruce Barnes, 24:43; Ryan Thaner, 24:49; Rita McGrogan, 25:04; Chuck Lenns, 25:09; Joe Thaner, 25:25; Michelle Kochan, 25:44; Stephen Smith, 25:44; Howard Richman, 25:51Aunika Ketterer, 25:56; Lisa Petrovich, 26:07; Alec Raymond, 26:11; Lisa Hetland, 26:12; Don Forcht, 26:20; Kelley McAndrews, 26:27; Rich Zabinski, 26:29; Laura Keeley, 26:32; Paul Patrick, 26:34; Mary Patrick, 26:35; Shawnee Denbow, 26:42; Cyndie DeLucia, 26:45; Patrick Schmidt, 26:53; Melissa A. Mahood, 26:53; Greg Cashwell, 27:04; Jason Shannon, 27:07; Cody Thompson, 27:12; Cecelia Bartosiewicz, 27:14; Lucas Bartosiewicz, 27:14; Cory Kamer, 27:14; John Kean, 27:20; Janet Kean, 27:20; Mark Altman, 27:22; Megan Manogue, 27:23; Nancy Karns, 27:29; Jeffrey Banyas, 27:29; Charlotte Kirk, 27:31; Denise Calvin, 27:49; Bill Dundore, 27:56; Hemanth Kapoor, 27:56; L. Keeley, 28:08; Michael Schrock, 28:10; Bonnie Alan, 28:15; Katelyn Kish, 28:22Wendy Recio, 28:24; John Ruppe, 28:24; Cory Myers, 28:26; Megan Gallagher, 28:31; Melissa Gallagher, 28:31; Gregory Alan, 28:33; Andrew Hodgson, 28:34; Jarrod Denbow, 28:43; Brent Calvin, 28:46; Carol Bovan, 28:47; Kim Gambardella, 28:56; David Brady, 28:59; Scot Cameron, 29:02; Jean Rowles, 29:10; David Schwartz, 29:13; Abby Schwartz, 29:13; Mike Sutton, 29:21; Timothy Corcoran, 29:26; Julie Banyas, 29:29; Craig Rogers, 29:45; Nathalie Kuffer, 29:47; Steve Wiles, 29:48; Eddie Derose, 29:52; Joanna Sutton, 29:53; Sally Naret, 29:54; Paula Miller, 29:55; Annamarie Christino, 29:55; Holly Castello, 30:13Joyce Doss, 30:14; Daniel Arnett, 30:16; Joann Banyas, 30:20; Melissa Pishko, 30:20; Becky Monhemius, 30:32; Kim Kenetz, 30:48; Glennis Robash, 30:53; Linda Robash, 30:53; Lisa Myers, 30:53; Melinda Miller, 31:19; Chuck Morse, 31:20; Pamela Reyburn, 31:24; James Woodhall, 31:25; Kathleen McHugh, 31:33; Robert Laverick, 31:50; Frances Werthwein, 31:50; Merle Hughes, 31:59; Cary Cameron, 32:03; Amy Redilla, 32:05; Heather Oros, 32:05; James Tarr, 32:10; Candice Shave, 32:12; Cameron Zahorchak, 32:13; Ricky Myers, 32:27; Rick Myers, 32:27; Sandra McConnell, 32:29; Matthew Bartosiewicz, 32:31; Pamela Zarnich, 32:38; Marcia Semple, 32:46; Michael Baxa, 32:52Sharon Biesett, 33:00; Tian Ernch, 33:01; Daniel Hodgson, 33:39; Maggie Rogers, 33:43; James Hodgson, 3:46; Elana Kriess, 33:56; Samantha Duncan, 34:02; Patricia Arnett, 34:07; Bruce Woods, 34:07; Chayla Whaley, 34:13; Daniel Haskins, 34:22; Theresa Joseph, 34:25; Taylor Karns, 34:25; Hannah Kish, 35:18; Lori O'Shea, 35:30; Dawn Carson, 35:35; Erin Smith, 35:53; Emily Kristoff, 35:54; Cindy Graham, 35:54; Jo Ann Luster, 36:01; Harry Kelly, 36:26; Kathryn Mueller, 36:26; Elizabeth Curfman, 36:44; Kyle Thompson, 36:57; Sharon Doty, 37:00; Linda Surgenor, 37:23; David Calvin, 37:28; Jen Koren, 37:59; Madison Kristoff, 38:16; Pamela Kristoff, 38:17; Patricia Hawman, 38:41; James Guentner, 38:43; Amy Woodhall, 39:26; Lara Essey, 39:46; Ryan Blatchford, 39:55; Jill Moriarity, 40:22; Peyton Moriarity, 40:27; Rachel Conn, 41:35; Anne Conn, 41:36; Darlene Lech, 42:12; Lori Dodd, 44:51Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert, 435 Cherry Valley Rd., Saxonburg, Pa. 16056. Phone or fax 724-352-4395. Email bigp16@connecttime.netPat Neubert is the running columnist for the Butler Eagle.