Bill Donakowski
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Born(1956-06-21)June 21, 1956
Flint, Michigan
DiedOctober 15, 2017(2017-10-15) (aged 61)[1]
Sport
SportTrack, long-distance running
Event(s)5000 metres, 10,000 metres, half marathon, marathon
College teamMichigan
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)5000m: 13:32.15[2]
10,000m: 28:13.9[2]
½ marathon: 1:02:15[3]
Marathon: 2:10:41[2]

William Donakowski (June 21, 1956 – October 15, 2017) was an American distance runner. He represented the United States at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in 1979, 1981, and 1983. He was the men's winner of the 1986 Twin Cities Marathon. He is a brother of Gerard Donakowski.

Running career

Donakowski studied and ran at University of Michigan. At the 1978 Tennessee Dogwood Relays, he recorded 28:25.8 in the 10,000 meters. Which still stands as University of Michigan 10,000 meter school record.[1] He ran his personal best time over 10,000 meters at the 1979 Penn Relays, where he finished in 28:13.9.[1]

After his studies, he transitioned into a marathoner. He won the 1986 Twin Cities Marathon in a personal best time of 2:10:40, taking home $25,000 in prize money.[4] He was a pre-race favorite at the 1988 US Olympic Trials for the marathon, but dropped out due to a sore achilles tendon.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c Kyle Terwillegar (October 19, 2017). "Remembering Hall of Fame Distance Runner Bill Donakowski". University of Michigan Men's Track/Field. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "Bill DONAKOWSKI - Athlete Profile". IAAF.
  3. ^ "Runner: William Donakowski". Association of Road Racing Statisticians.
  4. ^ "RUNNING; TWIN CITIES MARATHON TO DONAKOWSKI". The New York Times. October 13, 1986. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
  5. ^ [1] Phil Hersh. Chicago Tribune: LONGSHOT WINS MARATHON AT OLYMPIC TRIALS. April 25, 1988.
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