Bill Donakowski, a University of Michigan graduate who was a fine cross country runner, but also developed into a fine marathoner, died on October 15, at the age of 61. Bill was one of the those fine mid western distance runners who came through the ranks and ran some fine marathons in 1986-1987. A true rocket scientist, Donakowski’s methode operande was a big fast push near the end of the marathon, as he did in the second New Jersey Waterfront marathon in 1986.
Please keep Bill and his family in your thoughts and prayers. I knew Gerry Donakowski, his brother, much better than Bill, but truly admired his running and his possession by the scientific method. Bill was a bright man who ran. He will be missed.