Michelle Kitze

Year Inducted: 2005

 

 

 

Personal Records: 
5K ... 17:11
10K ... 35:19 
Marathon ... 2:52:29

Michelle graduated from Michigan State University prior to moving to Dayton. She quickly became one of the best runners in Ohio. However, she not only excelled as a road racer, she reached national class level as a triathlete.

She began competing in triathlons in 1983 due to running injury problems and inspiration from Julie Mossʼ crawl across the finish line in the 1982 Hawaii Ironman championship. Michelle went on to complete 2 Ironman triathlons (1992 - 10:48 in Hawaii and 2002 - 10:30 in Wisconsin).

Some of Michelleʼs accomplishments include:

1st female finisher in USA Duathlon Championships (Chicago 1995)

3rd amateur in the World Duathlon Championship (Cancun, Mexico 1995)

Raced over 50 times per year during most of the 1990ʼs and has continued to race over 30 times annually in the 2000ʼs. She is always in the mix for an award.

Won well over half of the running races in which she has participated during the 1989-2004 time frame.

2001 Ohio River Road Runner Club Athlete of the Year

Won the Lou Cox 5K twice and the Miamisburg Turkey Trot

Won the Susan Komen “Race for the Cure” in Columbus, Ohio twice

On her 30th birthday Michelle raced three 5Kʼs, winning in Bellbrook at 8:00am taking 2nd at Wright State University (17:45) at 9:00am, and finally completing her day by winning the Miami University Red Brick Run at 2:00pm (18:15).

On Memorial Day weekend 1993 she won the Indianapolis 5K (18:13) on Saturday, finished 6th in the professional division in a major Columbus duathlon event on Sunday, and won the Lou Cox 5K race on Monday in a then personal record time of 17:34.