Wheaton Teen Wins Cantigny 5K; Wheaton Girl, 10, Tops Women Racers

Wheaton runners dominated the Cantigny 5K last weekend, with top finishers in the men's and women's races.

With a mile pace of 5:51, Shelton Thompson of Wheaton finished first in the Nov. 2 race with a chip time of 17 minutes and 49 seconds (17:49.61). The 17-year-old Wheaton North High School senior was among 900 runners and walkers at Cantigny Park.

The top female runner with a chip time of 20:41.15 was Samantha Poglitsch, 10, of Wheaton. Second and third, respectively, went to Hannah Smith (17, Mundelein) and Ruth Roberts (44, Naperville). 

Poglitsch is the youngest female winner in the Cantigny 5K’s 9-year history. In 2011 she finished third in the Youth division.

Second place overall for the men went to Lombard resident Joshua Perry, age 36.  Third place belonged to Doug Gibson, 32, from Lisle.

Geneva resident Sam Barton, age 10, was tops among 32 entrants in the one-mile Cantigny Youth Run with a time of 7 minutes and 12 seconds.  Second and third, respectively, went to Luke Janek (10, Naperville) and Nathan Gavin (9, Winfield).  The Youth Run was open to ages 6 to 10. 

Complete race results are posted on the Mattoon Multisport website.

The Cantigny 5K Run/Walk is held annually in association with Veterans Day (Nov. 11). Net proceeds from the race benefit the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans in Wheaton.  A check will be presented to the shelter this Friday evening (Nov. 9) as part of Cantigny Park’s Luminary Tribute for veterans. 

Information courtesy of Cantigny.