Yellow Springs teacher wins U.S. Air Force Marathon

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Dave Johnston, a Xenia resident and a cancer survivor, finished first in the U.S. Air Force Marathon with a time of two hours, 30 minutes and 42 seconds.

Jim Noelker Dave Johnston, a Xenia resident and a cancer survivor, finished first in the U.S. Air Force Marathon with a time of two hours, 30 minutes and 42 seconds.

By Doug Harris, Staff Writer Updated 11:47 PM Saturday, September 19, 2009

FAIRBORN — The competitors at the U.S. Air Force Marathon are always looking for motivation to help them drown out the voices in their heads imploring them to quit, and Dave Johnston of Xenia had more than enough to will himself through those 26.2 miles Saturday.

An accomplished runner in high school and college in the 1990s, Johnston had to put his roadwork on hold to fight Hodgkin’s Disease about 12 years ago. But after taking a one-year hiatus, he was back pounding the pavement again because his cancer was in remission.

“That pushes me daily,” he said. “If I can survive that, I can survive through anything.”

A 35-year-old special-ed teacher at his alma mater, Yellow Springs High School, Johnston persevered through the Air Force Marathon, finishing first in two hours, 30 minutes and 42 seconds. James Beyer of Dayton was second in 2:34:10.

Kate Papenberg, 23, a Red Lion, Pa., native stationed at an Air Force base in Suffolk County, England, won the women’s division in 3:08:55. The marathon and various races associated with the event drew 9,400 participants, an increase of about 30 percent from last year.

Since he had previously completed just three marathons, Johnston’s win may be considered somewhat of a surprise. But he said he drew inspiration from running at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base because of his appreciation for the armed services.

A friend and neighbor, Eric Price, was just sent home from Iraq after the recent deaths of his mother and 3-year-old daughter to separate illnesses a few weeks apart. He’s now an MP at Wright-Patt.

“Just being here on the base and knowing about the sacrifices of the military, hopefully, they feel supported by what I do, because I feel support through them,” Johnston said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or at dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com

Friday’s winners

Men’s 5K: Kory Kennedy, Kokomo, Ind., 16:50
Women’s 5K: Dianne Striebel, Dayton, 19:31

Saturday’s winners

Men’s full marathon: Dave Johnston, Xenia, 2:30:42
Women’s full marathon: Kate Papenberg, RAF Lakenheath, England, 3:08:55
Full Marathon, Wheeled Division: Michael Postell, Snellville, Ga., 1:23:13
Men’s Half Marathon: Brent Martin, Gambier, Ohio, 1:08:44
Women’s Half Marathon: Air Force 2Lt. Caroline White, Colorado Springs, Colo., 1:22:17
Men’s 10k Individual: Kristoffer Chacon, Tyndall AFB, Fla., 33:11
Women’s 10k Individual: Varinka Barbini, Lexington, Ky.. 39:55