Commissioners recognize Dilliner woman who won Pittsburgh Marathon
WAYNESBURG – Greene County Commissioners presented a certificate of achievement Thursday to Clara Santucci, the 28-year-old Dilliner woman who on Sunday won the Pittsburgh Marathon for the second year in a row.
“People don’t realize the caliber of the athlete we have here in Greene County,” Commissioner Blair Zimmerman said following the presentation. “She’s world-class. She’s the real thing.”
Santucci’s achievements will help bring honor to the county, said Zimmerman, who also being a runner joked about his last marathon finish.
“You have no idea what this means to our community,” he said.
Santucci thanked the commissioners and stood with the board to have her picture taken following the meeting. Later, she answered questions from people at the meeting asking her how she trains and her plans for the future. Santucci said she is now preparing for her next goal, which is to qualify at the Olympic Trials in February in Los Angeles.
Santucci was born in Illinois and grew up in Doddridge County, W.Va. She participated in cross country and track at West Virginia University, where she was an All-American.
Santucci ran the Pittsburgh Marathon Sunday in 2:34:06 and was the first repeat woman’s champion since 2001-02.
She ran her first marathon in Boston in 2011 and was the top female finisher from the United States at the Chicago Marathon in 2013.
In addition to honoring Santucci, the commissioners approved proclamations for Nurses Week, May 6-12; EMS Week, May 17-23; National Hospital Week, May 10-16; Mental Health Awareness Month; Foster Care Appreciation Month; and Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, May 7.
They also approved a grant not to exceed $20,000 to the Greene County Historical Society to make “critical” improvements to the museum. Wooden piers beneath the first floor have deteriorated to the point two rooms have had to be cordoned off because of concerns about the floor’s stability.
The commissioners also approved a $20,000 grant to the Corner Cupboard Food Bank, which will be used to cover general operating costs; and a $10,000 grant to the Municipal Authority of Carmichaels to help the authority repair damage to equipment caused by the harsh winter weather.