Toroitich, Poltavska take men's, women's titles in Cellcom Green Bay Marathon; Griepentrog, Hodnette win titles in half
GREEN BAY - Happy birthday, Shane Griepentrog.
The University of Minnesota runner and former Valders cross-country and track star celebrated turning 19 in style Sunday, winning the Cellcom Green Bay half marathon in 1 hour, 12 minutes, 30 seconds and taking home $750 in winnings as a present.
It was the second time Griepentrog has run Cellcom’s half marathon after finishing third in 2022.
He was faster by more than a minute this year, averaging 5:32 per mile during the 13.1-mile race.
His goal again was to finish among the top three, but he was feeling so good toward the end of the race he figured he’d push himself a little harder and go for the win.
Not only did he win, but he did so in commanding fashion.
Runner-up Riley Martin of Pickett finished in 1:15.27, while Kyle Peotter of Appleton was third in 1:17:08.
Griepentrog was the best of 1,195 runners competing in the half marathon.
“It went really well,” Griepentrog said. “It was beautiful weather. Can’t complain about that. Just finished up my track season, so I said I might as well use my fitness for a little fun half marathon.
“Came out this morning and had a blast.”
Griepentrog signed a letter of intent in January 2022 to compete for the Gophers in both cross-country and outdoor track.
He was one of the best high school runners in the state during a decorated career at Valders, leading his team to the WIAA Division 2 state team titles in 2018 and 2019 and a D3 championship in 2021, when he also captured the individual state championship.
Griepentrog was just as dominant in track. He won both the 3,200-meter run and 1,600 state championships as a senior, one year after winning a title in the 3,200 and finishing runner-up in the 1,600.
His older brother, Nate, runs for UW-Milwaukee.
Griepentrog and his fellow freshmen all redshirted at Minnesota this year. They competed in some area meets but did not travel with the team for road trips.
“Kind of just a year to get some big training under our belt,” Griepentrog said. “Maybe not feel the greatest, but just go out there and gain the experience and race with the big dogs a little bit and just kind of soak in your first year.
“This year was not so much like competing, competing, competing. It was get better, get used to it and mold into the university standards.”
Griepentrog already can see there is a big difference between competing in the Big Ten and what he faced in high school, but he will be ready to help the Gophers this year.
“We did race at a couple of the big meets for cross-country,” said Griepentrog, whose track season ended last week while the cross-country season starts at the end of August. “It’s definitely a different animal. Something I have to get used to. In high school, you are used to running in the front pack with a couple guys. It’s strung out.
“In college, you are just in a massive 80 people. You can’t even see where you are on the course. It takes a lot to get used to.”
Welcome to Green Bay, Polina Hodnette
Polina Hodnette, 35, made her first Cellcom experience a memorable one, winning the women’s half marathon in 1:18.35 and finishing fifth overall among all half marathon competitors.
Former Green Bay Notre Dame standout Allie Woodward finished runner-up in 1:19.54 and was seventh among all runners.
“Just wanted to see what I can do,” said Hodnette, who lives in Chicago. “I’ve never been to Green Bay and always have been fascinated to see what the course is like. I wanted to run around (Lambeau Field) because it is so historical. I just wanted to experience it for myself to see what it’s like.”
So, what was Lambeau like?
“Oh, my God, it was so thrilling,” she said. “It got me so excited.”
The Cellcom was Hodnette’s first half marathon in 2023 after running in the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K in Chicago.
She plans to gear up for a marathon sometime later this year while staying fresh with a few more half marathons this summer.
Welcome back to Green Bay, Vincent Toroitich
Vincent Toroitich is starting to make Green Bay his home away from home.
Toroitich, who lives in Grand Prairie, Texas, won his second consecutive Cellcom Marathon. He finished the 26.2-mile race in 2:25.54, completely dominating a field that didn’t come within about 15 minutes of him.
Lucas Springstroh of Fort Atkinson finished runner-up with a clock time of 2:40.44.
It’s no wonder Toroitich put up three fingers when he was asked if he would return to defend his championship next year.
Two is nice. Three is even better.
“I’m very glad to defend my title,” said Toroitich, 32, who received $2,500 for his victory. “I’m very happy to win it. … Same course. Very nice weather.”
Valentyna Poltavska proved age is no factor in the women’s marathon.
Poltavska, 52, finished first with a time of 2:49.59 and was the only runner 50 or older to finish in the top 20 overall.
She started running marathons when she was 30 and often says she was a late bloomer, but it clearly has been worth the wait.
Poltavska, who is from Ukraine and lives in Brooklyn, draped the national flag of Ukraine over her shoulders after the win, a show of support for her native country.
Russian’s invasion of Ukraine has been difficult for her and her loved ones.
She plans to return to Ukraine later this month.
“I feel the support from other people,” Poltavska said through a translator. “When the war started, it was really difficult. Coming here, I feel support from a lot of people.”
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Vincent Toroitich, Valentyna Poltavska win Green Bay marathon titles
