Obituary on Marc Witkes from Durango Herald — 12/15
Posted by planetultramarathon on December 15, 2006
Marc Witkes (12/14/2006)
Well-known runner and Durango Herald columnist Marc Witkes, 40, died suddenly on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006, in the last mile of the Tucson (Ariz.) Marathon. The cause of death is not yet determined.
Known as “Wiggy,” he was born to Bernard and Eleanor Witkes in Worcester, Mass., on Nov. 7, 1966. He was a 1984 graduate of Doherty Memorial High School in Worcester. Mr. Witkes attended Ithaca (N.Y.) College and earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Fort Lewis College in 1992.
He worked for more than 13 years at Gardenswartz Sports and had been the night auditor at the DoubleTree Hotel since 1999.
Mr. Witkes was president of Durango Motorless Transit Club from 1999 to 2005. He had run in at least 30 marathons and 25 ultramarathons, as well as competing in ultra-endurance races like the Hardrock 100, the Sri Chinmoy 700-mile run and Earth Journey Vermont.
In addition to writing for The Durango Herald, Mr. Witkes had his freelance writing published in Rocky Mountain Sports, VeloNews, Colorado Runner, Adventure Sports Magazine, Paddler, Marathon and Beyond and Inside Outside.
In addition to enjoying running and bicycling, Mr. Witkes was an avid Red Sox fan.
Mr. Witkes is survived by his mother, Eleanor Witkes of Worcester, Mass.; sister, Joan-Beth Gow of Worcester; brother, Charles Witkes of Rutland, Mass.; former wife Cathy Tibbetts of Farmington; grandmother Ann Witkes of Boca Raton, Fla.; and four nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18, 2006, at the DoubleTree Hotel. Dale Garland will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Durango Motorless Transit Scholarship, c/o Fort Lewis College Foundation, 1000 Rim Drive, Durango, CO 81301. Mr. Witkes was instrumental in establishing the scholarship, which is awarded to a local student who is interested in running at FLC.
