Mike Clark Legacy Foundation

delaware online news story

"He put a lot of minutes on the clock, if one looks at life that way," said Ginny Hitz, a friend and frequent training partner for almost 30 years, referring to Clark's knack for making the most of his time.

Clark's time unexpectedly ran out last week, his death at age 51 stunning family, friends and many in Delaware's close-knit and interwoven running, cycling and triathlon communities.

"He had so many facets of his life," said Sally Sands, Clark's former wife who remained a close friend. "He loved doing landscape work. He loved music. He was just an all-around good person. His friends were all the best of the best."

Many of those friends honored Clark by wearing ribbons in Sunday's Caesar Rodney Half-Marathon, which he had entered. The tribute was arranged by friend and fellow runner Jimmy Walsh, who, Hitz said, "didn't know what else to do with his grief."

Clark's niece, Carolyn Kenaley, a freshman soccer player at Virginia Military Institute, ran wearing his bib number. Andrea Ladany, Clark's girlfriend, ran and crossed the finish line arm-in-arm with Andrew Urion and Robin Kielkowski in 2 hours, 14 seconds.

Clark had died early Friday morning at Wilmington Hospital of organ failure resulting from a viral infection and blood clot in his leg, Sands said. He had admitted himself to the hospital the day before after not feeling well. It's not certain if the problems were related to January hernia surgery, she added. Clark was a resident of Brandywine Hills in Wilmington. He worked as a grants administrator for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware.

He had run 30 marathons, including four at Boston. But one of his crowning achievements was having competed in the 1984 Ironman World Championship triathlon in Hawaii as a 28-year-old and then re-qualifying last June for the first time since.

"It's very similar to the Boston Marathon in that you have to earn the right to get there. That's part of the allure," Clark said in an interview with The News Journal last October. "It's one of the most difficult events." Clark completed the grueling 140.6 miles in 13 hours, 28 minutes, 36 seconds last October. Joel Schiller, operations director for the Delaware Marathon and a longtime area runner, said he thought of Clark as a "connector," who bridged many varied groups.

"One of his special qualities was that he loved to train and, by doing so, forged lifelong friendships with so many athletes in our community," Schiller said.

"Whether it was his Friday p.m. swimming sessions at the Central YMCA, his biking with the Deep Blue cycling team or his running at Delaware Running Company, Tower Hill, A.I. du Pont or Buckley's, he was a friend and competitor who will be greatly missed. He also always volunteered at the marathon." Clark's death was particularly difficult to fathom for fellow triathletes, who with their devotion to nutrition and fitness and many hours spent training have "an aura of invincibility," said Wilmington resident Mark Wise.

"It was just devastating news," said Wise, who has done three Hawaii Ironman events and had trained and competed with Clark. "Every time I saw Mike, he was always chipper. Last time I saw him was at the Icicle run [January 10-miler in Wilmington]. I yelled, 'Why aren't you out here?' He said something about being injured. But he was out there cheering everybody else on."

Added Wise: "This certainly brings you down to earth."

Lewes resident Len Leshem, who also has completed the Ironman World Championship, admired Clark's passion and lamented his loss.

"I was shocked," he said. "He just did the Ironman in October. For years, he wanted to go back there and do it. At least he made it. But it's so sad. He was too young."

Contact Kevin Tresolini at 324-2804 or ktresolini@delawareonline.com