Steamworks donates $3,500 to college scholarship

Steamworks Brewing Co. has donated more than $3,500 to the Mark Witkes Memorial Scholarship at Fort Lewis College, the brewery announced in a news release.

The funds were raised by the 2010 Steamworks-Animas Valley Half Marathon, held June 19.

The Marc Witkes Memorial Scholarship is presented annually to a Four Corners-area cross-country runner attending Fort Lewis College. Witkes, an avid runner and former president of Durango Motorless Transit, died in 2006 as he approached the finish line at the Tucson Marathon.

The annual Steamworks-Animas Valley Half Marathon is a partnership of Steamworks Durango Motorless Transit and the Durango Sports Club. The 2010 event sold out early, drawing 300 runners.

“It was a beautiful day, a full field that sold out early, and so successful over all that we were able to contribute more than $1,000 more than we did in 2009 to the scholarship,” said Kris Oyler, Steamworks co-founder. “At Steamworks, we’re proud to continue this tradition and help support a collegiate distance runner in honor of Marc.”

Added race director Kristin Spiegel, “This running event has turned into one of the most popular in Durango. It keeps getting better. We expect the 2011 event to once again sell out early, and we’re pleased to be able to sustain Marc’s memory with such a positive event.”

I'm not much of a runner, but my girlfriend is, and she thoroughly enjoyed the half-marathon. There were aid stations every couple of miles to keep the runners fed and healthy, and Steamworks beer was poured at the finish.