Runner Interview: Jaime Stilwell
Jaime in Montrouis, Haiti
Jaime Stilwell’s first run with Haiti H2O’s Run for Hope was unorthodox, to say the least. Although she had already registered and had been training for the half marathon in 2020, by March the Pittsburgh Marathon was canceled amid growing fears about the CoVID-19 virus. Haiti H2O had to pivot and Jaime pivoted with us. The race went virtual and, although fundraising in such circumstances could have been a major challenge, Jaime credits her donors with giving her the energy to continue. “[The fundraising] kept me honest,” she admitted. Jaime ran virtually and the “unprecedented” run of 2020 was a success.
Jaime hails from Trafford, near Pittsburgh, and she began running at age 16. “I ran my first Great Race at 16 with my dad, and that’s when I first started running,” said Stilwell. “My dad is a runner and that’s why I started running.” She began serious training in 2012.
“My friends and I decided we were going to run a race every month,” she said. “We did a 5K, 10K, 10-miler and the half. But we ran a race every month for 2012.” Running gives her a quiet space, listening to music and enjoying the journey through Pittsburgh neighborhoods, though her favorite run is still in her own neighborhood, near Swissvale. Her favorite ”race moment” is The Great Race she ran years ago with her dad.
It comes as no surprise that Jaime came across Haiti H2O through the Pittsburgh Marathon, but her Haitian connections go much further back. She has been to Haiti three times with her church in Trafford, where her father runs the Haiti Committee.
“We primarily stay in Montrouis, about an hour from Port-au-Prince,” said Jaime. There is a school attached to the church there, and she particularly enjoyed getting to know the children. “It’s a lot of fun.” Although travel to Haiti has been restricted since 2019, she has fond memories of her time there.
Of particular excitement for Jaime in 2022 has been winning a spot in the ”back half,” which means her half-marathon race will end at the official finish line. Jaime is excited for the race to be back in person this year, and she looks forward to the energy of the crowds.
“I’m getting more nervous as we get closer,” she admitted, but “I’m excited to be running for Haiti H2O… I’m excited to run the back half—that was one of my goals.”
We are thrilled to have Jaime running for us again this year, and we look forward to seeing her—and all the Haiti H2O runners—at the finish line!
