GOSHEN, IN. – The Write on Sports camp at Goshen College interviewed “The Marathon Man” July 8, 2014. Family-man Justin Gillette, who is fifth in the world for most marathon victories, described to the Write on Sports camp how he balances the demands of being a runner with having a family.
Justin’s love for his family was obvious throughout the interview. For example, the first thing that he mentioned were his two kids. He stayed home with his kids (Miles, 4 and Jasmine, 1) while his wife, Melissa, went to college. Melissa just graduated from the University of Notre Dame this spring with a PhD. But in between changing diapers and naps, Justin still finds time to train. He runs twice a day in the summer and once a day in the winter. He puts his kids in a jog stroller and runs with them. He runs approximately 110 miles a week, 30 of those alone and 80 with the jog stroller and his kids.
Justin’s wife is also a marathoner who runs nearly 60 miles a week. They enjoy running together and participating in marathons. “I think it’s cool that we can both win a race and get the same award.”
If Justin wasn’t a runner, he would want to be a stay at home dad. “I’ve always wanted not to work.” And although he got a degree from Goshen College to be a Physical Education teacher, he said that if he wasn’t running he would either open a dairy farm or continue to stay home with his kids. But Justin doesn’t plan on giving up running anytime soon. His goal is to run in all 50 states, and he only has twenty states left.
He has lots of motivation, determination, and perseverance. Justin has a great love for running but a greater love for his family.