An amazing accomplishment for Stilwell to even start the marathon in Oita,
Japan on November 14, 2010. Just ten weeks post major spinal surgery she not
only started but won for the T52 class category. “For me it was not about
winning, it was about finishing and pushing through to the end for Clayton.”
One year ago, Michelle raced her first marathon in Oita with the support and
encouragement of her dear friend Clayton Gerein. In 2009 they worked together
through much of the race to make it to the end. Sadly, the world lost an
incredible person when Clayton passed away from a brain tumor earlier this
year.