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Marc Witkes Memorial Page
From and email sent out Dec. 18, 2006:
My name is Charlie Witkes and I am Marc's younger brother. I am sure many of you already know that on December 10, Marc collapsed and died as he was in the last mile of the Tucson Marathon.
I am sorry to send this note out to such a big audience, but I wanted to make sure those folks that knew Marc, were aware.
My email address is cwitkes@hotmail.com
Sincerely,
Charles Witkes
Marc Witkes, of Durango CO, formerly of Worcester, died suddenly Sunday, December 10, 2006 in the last mile of the Tucson Marathon. Mr. Witkes was 40. 
A Memorial Service will be held in Durango, CO on Monday, December 18. Arrangements for a Memorial Service in Worcester are incomplete.
Mr. Witkes was born November 7, 1966 in Worcester, Massachusetts the son of Eleanor Witkes and the late Bernard Witkes.
Mr. Witkes, who liked to be called "Wiggy," grew up in Worcester. He was a 1984 graduate from Doherty Memorial High School. He attended Ithaca College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Fort Lewis College in 1992.
During his years in Worcester, Marc was an active member of the Jewish Community Center. He was also a caddie at the Tatnuck Country Club through which he was awarded a Francis Ouimet college scholarship. In Durango, CO, he worked for more than 13 years at Gardenswartz Sports and for 7 years as a night auditor at the Doubletree Hotel.
From 1999-2005, Marc was president of the Durango Motorless Transit Club, a running club boasting nearly 250 members. He accomplished a long list of superhuman running achievements including the Sri Chinmoy 700-mile run, Earth Journey Vermont, Hardrock 100 and at least 30 marathons and 25 ultramarathons.
Marc was also a writer and had a weekly column in The Durango Herald. In addition his freelance writing was published in numerous publications. He was also an avid Red Sox fan.
Richard Ellis, owner of Gardenswartz Sports and a friend of Marc’s for more than 15 years said that while Witkes was an extremely focused athlete, he was always more interested in tackling personal challenges than in winning any given competition. "When I heard he died doing the marathon, my first reaction was what his would have been - 'Did he finish?'" Ellis said. "I'm just glad he died doing something he loved."
He is survived by his mother, Eleanor Witkes of Worcester, MA, sister Joan-Beth Gow and husband Neil of Worcester, MA, brother Charles Witkes and wife Michelle of Rutland, MA, former wife Cathy Tibbetts of Farmington, NM, paternal grandmother Ann Witkes of Boca Raton, FL, 3 uncles and 4 nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Durango Motorless Transit Scholarship c/o Fort Lewis College Foundation, 1000 Rim Drive, Durango, Colorado 81301. Marc was instrumental in establishing this scholarship which will be awarded to a local Durango student interested in running at Fort Lewis College.
Links of Marc:
Worcester Telegram Jan. 7, 2007