Bill Donakowski

William Donakowski was an American distance runner. He represented the United States at the IAAF World [Cross Country Championships] in 1979 [IAAF World Cross Country Championships – Senior men's race|1979], 1981 IAAF [World Cross Country Championships – Senior men's race|1981], and 1983 IAAF World [Cross Country Championships – Senior men's race|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. He ran his personal best time over 10,000 meters at the 1979 Penn Relays, where he finished in 28:13.9.
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. He was a pre-race favorite at the 1988 US Olympic Trials for the marathon, but dropped out due to a sore achilles tendon.