Candlelight Vigil Held For Tulsa Runner Who Died In Marathon

Lacie Lowry, News on 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- The runner who collapsed and died in last weekend's Route 66 marathon was remembered Sunday at a candlelight vigil.

Twenty-seven-year-old Marcus Takach's  family, friends, coworkers and the running community celebrated his life after he died doing what he loved.

Marcus fell in the tenth mile of the Route 66 half-marathon last weekend. First responders attempted to revive him, but he died at the scene.

A candlelight vigil was held at the place where he collapsed, River Parks near 15th and Riverside Drive, and a wreath now marks the place where he went down.

"He like all 27 year olds thought he was invincible and would live forever," said Dr. Nicholas Takach, Marcus' father. "He had a long list of races that he participated in so there's no explanation for this."

Takach loved to run and was an all-around athlete, including a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

"He lived life to the fullest, he worked extremely hard and he played hard, too. He made the most of every minute he had," Nicholas Takach said.

And the hours and days that have passed haven't brought much closure.

"It's only been a week, so I think with a week versus knowing him 18 years, it will take some time to fully sink in I'd say," said Stephen Miska, Marcus Takach's best friend.

Nicholas Takach said the best way he can honor his son's memory is to start running again. He said he plans to start soon because Marcus would have loved that.

Stephen Fisher, chaplain at the OSU Medical Center, presided over Sunday's candlelight vigil ceremony.

Marcus was a Tulsa native and graduated from both Booker T. Washington High School and then the University of Tulsa.

Takach was a certified public accountant at Ernst & Young.