Grandma’s Marathon/USA Announces 2014 Award Winners

DULUTH, Minn. – Grandma's Marathon has announced its 2014 Don Fennessy Volunteer of the Year. Marge Swor and her family received the award at the organization's volunteer appreciation event at Grandma's Sports Garden.

For 13 years, Marge Swor and her family have been volunteering at race packet pick up prior to Grandma's Marathon. They have helped distribute goodie/gear bags, manned the chip scanners, assembled race packets, and assisted with runners' inquiries during the packet pick up period for Grandma's Marathon and the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon.

The Grandma's Marathon Don Fennessy Volunteer of the Year Award is given annually to an individual or group of individuals who have donated a tremendous amount of time volunteering for Grandma's Marathon and in doing so have assisted in the success and enjoyment of the event and its operation. It is named after Don Fennessy who passed away in 2011. Fennessy, a 2004 Grandma's Marathon Hall of Fame inductee, was an original member of both the Grandma's Marathon board of directors and Young Athletes Foundation committee.

Grandma's Marathon has announced the recipients of its annual Ron Daws Ambassador Award and Verizon Wireless Award of Excellence, as well as its 2014 Hall of Fame class.

Joanie Holst is this year's Ron Daws Ambassador Award winner.

Since 1991, Joanie Holst has helped to coordinate and provide post-event massage therapy for runners following Grandma's Marathon and the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. Due largely to Holst's collaborative efforts, this has grown and prospered over the last two decades. For nearly 25 years she's had a commitment to excellence and has been an integral part of Grandma's Marathon.

In 1993, Grandma's Marathon began the Ron Daws Ambassador Award in honor of the Minnesota native and 1968 Olympian who was a great ambassador to Grandma's Marathon and the city of Duluth. Daws was instrumental in the development of road racing in Minnesota until he passed away in 1992. The award is presented each year to an individual who has been a leader in the growth of long-distance running and who has a shared commitment to Grandma's Marathon and Duluth.

Gordy Anderson & Mike Persing are the 2014 recipients of the Verizon Wireless Award of Excellence.

For approximately 15 years, Gordy Anderson was the coordinator of the Grandma's Marathon starting line in Two Harbors. As the president of the Two Harbors Chamber of Commerce, Gordy and his crew were instrumental in the success of the start of the race. After nearly 20 years with the Chamber, Gordy recently retired from his position as president and starting line coordinator.

Mike Persing has volunteered as one of Grandma's Marathon's key elite athlete massage therapists for 24 years. He and his group of massage therapists work long hours during race weekend to provide massages for Grandma's Marathon elite runners from around the world.

The Award of Excellence is given annually to an individual(s) or group in recognition of dedication, commitment and service to Grandma's Marathon.

2014 Grandma's Marathon Hall of Fame Inductee: Scott Keenan

Scott Keenan directed Grandma's Marathon for the race's first 37 years before stepping down in August 2013. As president of the North Shore Striders, a northland running club, Keenan planned the first Grandma's Marathon in 1977 for a field of 150 runners. Under his direction Grandma's Marathon grew into one of the nation's largest 26.2-mile races.

For more information, visit www.GrandmasMarathon.com or call (218) 727-0947