Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Conley/The Detroit News

MEA member wins Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon

Haslett High School teacher Nicholas Stanko was back at school Monday, a day after winning the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon.

Cheered on by Haslett High School students, the art teacher won the 26.2-mile event in 2:20:22.

“The kids run their tails off for us five days a week,” said Stanko, who with his wife coaches the boys and girls track and cross-country teams at Haslett. “I told myself that I have to put in two good hours for them.”

Near the end of the marathon, Stanko said some student-athletes ran alongside the course, encouraging him to pick up the pace.

“I didn’t think I could go any faster, but I probably sped up when they were there,” said Stanko, a member of the Haslett Education Association.

Stanko is an experienced athlete. He ran at Wyandotte High School and later at the University of Michigan. He continues to train and race, participating in events around the country. This is the second time he’s run the Detroit marathon; he placed fourth in 2004.

During the race, Theresa Stanko helped 10 students and a few parents maneuver the course to cheer for her husband. Nicholas Stanko, who described the cool morning as “100 percent perfect for a marathon,” said he felt good about his chances of success.

Stanko won $1,500 and hopes to use the experience as a positive motivator for students.

“I just hope whether they’re playing the violin, cleaning something, or whatever job they find, that they put their heart into it and they realize that if they work hard at it, they can reap the benefits of their labor,” Stanko said.

Updated: October 20, 2009