DAVE MALBAN
Malban was one of the original Board members of Grandma’s Marathon, having completed the paperwork in 1986 to create the nonprofit entity that still exists today. Malban served close to four decades on the Board of Directors, several of them as the organization’s general counsel, and was one of the original Board members of the Young Athletes Foundation (YAF) in 1990.
“A great event like Grandma’s Marathon ultimately runs on great people,” Malban said, “and I’ve been blessed to work with and get to know many – Board members, staff, volunteers, and participants. It’s not just the runners that are some of the best in world that weekend in June.”
DOMINIC ONDORO
Ondoro is the current men’s event record holder after his time of 2:09:06 in 2014 unseated Minnesota running legend Dick Beardsley and one of the most storied records in the event’s history.
“It was a great feeling,” said Ondoro, who was greeted by a smiling Beardsley at the finish line. “With the people cheering, it gave you energy. I’m so happy.”
Ondoro won the race again in 2022 – and has finished second twice – making him one of only seven men to have won the event multiple times.
“Duluth will always have a special place in my heart,” Ondoro said on being inducted into the Hall of Fame. “From its stunning beauty to the incredible people, it’s become a second home to me.”
GRANDMA’S MARATHON
HALL OF FAME
The Grandma’s Marathon Hall of Fame was created to honor those who have made longstanding and meaningful contributions to the race and the community.
The Hall of Fame is now made up of 96 individuals, organizations, and municipalities, all of which have made great and lasting impacts on the race itself and the northern Minnesota community.
Class of 2025
Dave Malban, Dominic Ondoro
Class of 2024
Greg Helgeson, Paul Iversen, Bob Larkin
Class of 2023
Elisha Barno, Dan Dock, Barb Korte
Class of 2022
Glenn Evavold, Jim Greenfield, Monica Halligan, Deb Pawlowicz, Rick Recker, Dick Skogg
Class of 2020-21
n/a
Class of 2019
Kevin Peterson
Class of 2018
Jeff Frey, Lizette Mitchell, Deanna Nordeen
Class of 2017
Adele Hartwick, Amanda McGrory, Doug Nelson
Class of 2016
Joe Hietala, Erik Nelson, Kraig Rudstrom
Class of 2015
Tim Hollis, John Kessler
Class of 2014
Scott Keenan
Class of 2013
Carol Gallinger, Mike Krois, Rudy Lundahl, Saul Mendoza
Class of 2012
City of Duluth, City of Two Harbors
Class of 2011
Ron Francisco, Steve Harrington, Ed Hermel, GB Leighton, Chelly Townsend
Class of 2010
477th Medical Company, Chuck & Sally Hegg, John Leppi, Bill & Nancy Olsen, Kevin Pates
Class of 2009
John Docter, Steve Greenfield, Kellie Luedloff, Bill Wenmark
Class of 2008
Sharon Buchanan, Jerry Frederick, Jeno Paulucci, Mary Spiering
Class of 2007
Neil Franz, Greg Haynes, Dale Kusnierek
Class of 2006
North Shore Striders
Class of 2005
Candy Furo, Taire (Lind) Suliin
Class of 2004
Don Fennessy, Gino & Kathy Goedel, Michael Pinocci
Class of 2003
Candace Cable, Ken & Mona Rae Cich, John Kulick
Class of 2002
Rick Jackson, Joe Johnson, John Naslund, James Nowak
Class of 2001
Brian Daugherty, Jan Ettle, Brian Larsen, Paul Van Winkel
Class of 2000
Joan Dahlstrom, Herb Dillon, Cindy Nelson, Mac Welles
Class of 1999
David Eckstrom, Doug Kurtis, Lorraine Moller, Tami Oothoudt
Class of 1998
Dick Beardsley, Peter Graves, Barney & Janis Klecker, Wen Shi Yu
Class of 1997
Gerald Church
Class of 1996
Andy Borg, Garry Bjorklund, George Fink, John Foschi, Mickey Paulucci, Alex Ratelle, Dorothy Spencer
SCOTT A. KEENAN
FOUNDER’S AWARD
The Scott A. Keenan Founder’s Award is given each year to a person who embodies the history, vision, and spirit of Grandma’s Marathon through their loyalty, energy, and willingness to go above and beyond to provide the greatest possible experience to our race participants, sponsors, volunteers, and fans.
The award is named after Scott Keenan, the founding executive director of Grandma’s Marathon.
2025 – Kevin Pates
2024 – Peter Graves
2023 – Dorothy Spencer
2022 – Garry Bjorklund
2021 – Brian Larsen
2020 – n/a
2019 – Wendy (Hovland) Cregg
2018 – Mike Krois
2017 – Dan Russell
2016 – Tami Tanski Sherman
EVANS BROTHERS
James was the first of the brothers to run the marathon, and he just missed out on doing them all – he started his streak in 1978 and is shooting to complete No. 48 this June. Unofficially, he thinks he may have been the first Grandma’s Restaurant employee to compete in its namesake marathon.
“I signed up for that first one the night before the race, paid my $3.00 to enter,” James recalls. “I got done with my shift at 1:00 a.m., finished in 4:05, and then biked home. There’s a lot more to it today than there was back then.”
Alan was the next of the brothers to catch the marathon bug, running Grandma’s for the first time in 1981, and then Matt followed a few years later. It was then that their mother bought the trio a lifetime membership to Grandma’s Marathon.
“She knew that if the race could stay afloat, it would be an incentive for each of us to come home every year,” Matt said. “I think she is the one that allowed us to continue to run the marathon and to let everyone know how amazing this race is for all types of runners.”
All three brothers are now members of the Grandma’s Marathon 1,000-Miler Club, each having completed 39 or more races in Duluth, and it was while receiving that award that the magnitude of the race finally hit.
“As the years went on, I became more aware of just how many volunteers it takes to do Grandma’s every year,” Alan said. “It is a very impressive army of dedicated people, and it turns out the three of us just become natural advocates for the best and our favorite marathon in the country.”
RON DAWS AMBASSADOR
OF THE YEAR
The Ron Daws Ambassador of the Year Award is presented each year to an individual or group who has been a leader in the development and growth of long-distance running and who has shared a commitment toward Grandma’s Marathon and the City of Duluth.
The award is named after Ron Daws, who was a 1968 Olympian and instrumental to the development of road racing in Minnesota.
2025 – Alan Evans, James Evans, Matt Evans
2024 – Bob Hartl
2023 – Rafael Botello Jimenez
2022 – Katie McGee
2020-21 – n/a
2019 – Dan Conway
2018 – Patricia Goodwin
2017 – Austin Jarrow Sports
2016 – Brian Larsen
2015 – Peter Graves & Michael Pinocci
2014 – Joanie Holst
2013 – Huck Andresen
2012 – Jon Anderson
2011 – Gloria Jansen
2010 – Martha Firling
2009 – Dr. James Kirkham
2008 – Carolyn Mather
2007 – Doris Windsand-Dausman
2006 – Dan ‘Digger’ Carlson
2005 – Ed Hermel
2004 – Kelly Keeler
2003 – Bill Andberg
2002 – Terry Lundberg
2001 – Richard Braun
2000 – Rob Link
1999 – John Goldfine
1998 – Kerry Rodd
1997 – Doug Kurtis
1996 – Garry Bjorklund
1995 – Dick Beardsley
1994 – Dorothy Spencer
1993 – Alex Ratelle
CHAD NAGORSKI
Nagorski, who retired in January after 26 years with the Duluth Police Department, has worked in several roles with the marathon since 1999. After starting on traffic and tent security, he was assigned in 2015 as the Incident Commander race day and held that role until 2022.
His overall charge was to keep participants and community members safe on race weekend, which required working together with several other emergency service agencies on threat assessments, incident planning, evacuation planning, and more.
“Looking at the past recipients, I see people who spent countless hours year after year to help make the event a success,” Nagorski said. “Many of them were mentors to me when I started, and I’m incredibly thankful for that.”
MAYO CLINIC AMBULANCE
Mayo Clinic Ambulance has been instrumental in providing medical care and transportation on the racecourse, work that involves ambulances, paramedics, bike patrol, dispatch, and more.
“Every year, our team gets to witness one of the most treasured events in our city,” Mayo Clinic Paramedic Craig Banker said. “We take pride that we’re able to work alongside so many other agencies to help put together one of the top races in the country.”
LAKE COUNTY AMBULANCE
Lake County Ambulance has been instrumental in providing medical care and transportation on the racecourse, work that involves ambulances, paramedics, bike patrol, dispatch, and more.
“This is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our entire team,” Lake County Ambulance Executive Director Randy Strohmeyer said. “It really belongs to public safety personnel, past and present, across Lake County whose commitment and collaboration make our work possible.”
RUDY PERPICH PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD
The Rudy Perpich Public Service Award is given annually to
current or former elected officials or public employees who have
exhibited immense dedication and service to Grandma’s Marathon.
The award is named after the late Rudy Perpich, who is the longest-serving Governor in Minnesota state history and was a large supporter of Grandma’s Marathon during his time in office.
2025 – Chad Nagorski, Mayo Clinic Ambulance, Lake County Ambulance
2024 – John Petrich, Clifton Volunteer Fire Department
2023 – Pete Goman, Mike Tusken
2022 – Carey Johnson, Bob Shene
2020-21 – n/a
2019 – Phil Olsen, Joe Tarnowski
2018 – David Montgomery, William Stovern
2017 – Kevin Gray, Erik Rish
2016 – Don Ness, Roger Reinert
2015 – Kevin Hakala, Shawn McGovern, Brad Wick
2014 – Jim Benning, Bob LeDoux, Earl Stewart
2013 – Tom Ehle, Brad Miller, John Schlangen
2012 – Steve Anderson, Gary Doty, Paul Scanlan
2011 – Scott Collver, John Foschi, George Lewis
2010 – Al Goodman, Kent Lunda, Ed Moroney
2009 – Jim Miles, Sharon Montgomery, Doug Nelson
2008 – William Amberg, Bob Troolin, Mark Wick
2007 – Helene Abbott, Roberta Dwyer, Jim Gorny
2006 – Bob Brandt, Richard Hansen, Lenore Johnson
JOHN HARTWICK
Originally elected to the Board of Directors in 2003, Hartwick has served much of the past two decades in the leadership of the marathon – that includes a stint as chairperson during the transition of Executive Directors following Scott Keenan’s retirement.
“Serving in this role was a great experience for me,” Hartwick recalled. “It was an honor and privilege to lead an organization such as Grandma’s Marathon at that high level.”
Outside of his duties on the Board of Directors, Hartwick’s primary roles have been managing the Michelina’s All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti Dinner and post-race entertainment portions of race weekend – that includes being a driving force in the transition of the entertainment to Bayfront Festival Park in 2021.
Having started at the age of 15 selling beer tickets and now overseeing the ticketing operations and crowd control, Hartwick has had experience in nearly every capacity of those two areas over the years.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Grandma’s Marathon,” he said. “Being that my career is in hospitality, this event has been a natural fit for me. To be recognized with this very honorable award makes my heart smile, and being part of Grandma’s Marathon is a true highlight of my life.”
MAC WELLES AWARD
OF EXCELLENCE
The Award of Excellence is presented each year to an individual who or organization that has shown many years of dedication, commitment, and service to the continued development and growth of Grandma’s Marathon.
The award is named after the late Mac Welles, a longtime Grandma’s Marathon employee and volunteer.
2025 – John Hartwick
2024 – Super One Foods
2023 – Tom Rovinsky
2022 – Al Haeg
2020-21 – n/a
2019 – Country Hearth Bread
2018 – Jim Kari, Peter Kolar, & David Solon
2017 – Jeff Foster Trucking
2016 – Kathy Bauer
2015 – Upper Lakes Foods
2014 – Gordy Anderson & Mike Persing
2013 – Duane Madison
2012 – Chris & Stephanie LaFleur
2011 – David Bridges
2010 – Spirit Mountain Ski Patrol
2009 – Sue Bussa
2008 – Jeff Frey
2007 – Leah Hulst & Sandy Brennan
2006 – Marian Holmes
2005 – Gert Belsvick
2004 – Dan Russell
2003 – Tom Ehle
2002 – Mike Krois
2001 – Chester Keenan
CLINT AUSTIN
Austin has been photographing the marathon for over two decades, documenting various parts of the race from start line to finish line, including one year covering the course along Lake Superior from a small airplane.
In recent years, Austin has been the News Tribune’s primary photographer assigned to the finish line in Canal Park. To him, this has been his favorite place to find emotional and meaningful photos to convey the event’s true meaning.
“The reactions when runners complete the course are so immediate, raw, and real,” Austin said. “The marathon requires participants to dig deep in their physical and mental inventories, and it’s nothing short of amazing to see the range of emotions they experience at the finish line.”
Austin has worked side-by-side for many years with other recipients of the award, including several at the News Tribune, but he never considered that he might one day be on the same list as them.
“I’m humbled by such a great honor. I’m always in awe when I hear stories of Marsh, and it’s amazing that he’s still such a pillar of the sports community in Duluth,” Austin said. “It means a lot to me to be elevated to the level of those who I have considered mentors, colleagues, and friends. I look forward to continuing to document Grandma’s Marathon and our community for many years to come.”
MARSH NELSON
MEDIA AWARD
The Marsh Nelson Media Award is given annually to a media member or organization to recognize and celebrate a longstanding commitment to the coverage and development of Grandma’s Marathon.
The award is named after the late Marsh Nelson, a longtime KDLH-TV sports director.
2025 – Clint Austin
2024 – Jerry Thoreson
2023 – Chris Allen
2022 – Deb Messer
2020-21 – n/a
2019 – Jake Benson
2018 – John Gilbert
2017 – Howie Hanson
2016 – Bob King
2015 – Townsquare Media
2014 – Marathon & Beyond
2013 – Dan Moller
2012 – Pat Cadigan
2011 – Running Times Magazine
2010 – David Jensch
2009 – Mark Stodghill
2008 – Tom Hansen
2007 – Barbara Reyelts
2006 – Chuck Curtis
2005 – Rik Jordan
2004 – Bruce Brothers
2003 – Bob Rich
2002 – Bruce Bennett
2001 – Kerry Rodd
2000 – Marsh Nelson & Kevin Pates
NANCY GALLAGHER & ANNA VINCENT
Gallagher and Vincent have been longtime volunteer captains at the Mile 24 aid/water station, located right in front Fitger’s on Superior Street in downtown Duluth.
Under their leadership, that station has become one of the busiest on race day. Not only is it located in the later miles for both the marathon and half marathon, it’s also become one of the most active with the community – there’s typically music, dancing, lots of spectators around that area on race day.
DON FENNESSY
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
The Don Fennessy Volunteer of the Year Award is given each year to an individual or group who has donated a tremendous amount of time volunteering for Grandma’s Marathon and, in doing so, has assisted in the successful operation of the event.
This award is named after the late Don Fennessy, who was a longtime and fervent supporter of Grandma’s Marathon and its race weekend events.
2025 – Nancy Gallagher & Anna Vincent
2024 – Judy Behning
2023 – Joan Andrews & Tom DeSutter
2022 – Shawn Carlson, David Pollard, & Mike Krzewinski
2021 – Darrin & Michelle Keiper
2020 – n/a
2019 – Mike Tipple
2018 – Peggy & Doug Simensen
2017 – Geri Peterson
2016 – Ellen & Wally Johnson
2015 – Cheryl Fosdick
2014 – Marge Swor & Family
2013 – Al & Jan Swanson
2012 – College of St. Scholastica
2011 – Jock Glendenning
2010 – John Herbertz
2009 – Woodland Hills
2008 – Brock Pelzel
2007 – Steve & Joyce Lent
2006 – Lyle Johnson
2005 – Barb & Terry Davis
2004 – Carol Gallinger
2003 – Sue Bussa
2002 – David & Jill Hisdahl
2001 – Buck McDonald
2000 – Chelly Ferguson
1999 – Durbin Keeney
1998 – Proctor Community Band & Mr. Moody’s Marching Band
1997 – Don & Ella Fennessy
1996 – Bruce & Colleen Hasforth
1995 – Jan DeRoche
1994 – Arrowhead Radio Amateurs Club
1993 – Ken & Mona Rae Cich
1992 – Herb Dillon
1991 – Ken Docteur
1990 – Seitz Family
1989 – Eric & Amy Kaiser
1988 – Candy Furo
1987 – Taire Lind
1986 – John Leppi
1985 – Ray Paavola
PAUL STANGL
Before he reaches the finish line in 2025 for what will be his 40th career Grandma’s Marathon, Stangl will have completed the requirements to be the 21st person to earn the event’s 1,000-Miler Award.
“I’m an average guy who worked 40-50 hours a week and had a family,” Stangl said, “but I still found time every year for Grandma’s Marathon.”
Stangl completed 38 consecutive marathons starting in 1983, a streak that was only disrupted by the COVID-canceled race in 2020. He ran the full marathon again in 2022 – completing his 1,000 miles – and then completed the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon in both 2023 and 2024.
“Training for Grandma’s Marathon became a spring ritual for me,” Stangl said. “Both my daughters have now successfully completed the race, as well. When they were younger, they said they enjoyed going to Duluth for Grandma’s Marathon more than Christmas.”
Stangl’s self-proclaimed claim to fame is that he ran two separate Grandma’s Marathons at age 27 – his birthday fell three days before the race in 1987 and nine days after the race in 1988. He’s maybe not the only person to ever accomplish this feat, but he’s surely one of few.
Having run five Grandma’s Marathons on his birthday, June 17, Stangl says he still has all his unworn finisher shirts – with the race bib still pinned on – in his closet at home.
1,000-MILER
AWARD
Created to celebrate longevity and commitment of Grandma’s Marathon participants, the award is given to individuals who successfully complete 39 races on the 26.2-mile racecourse from Two Harbors to Duluth.
NOTE: John Naslund is the only person to have completed every Grandma’s Marathon since its inception in 1977, as his streak now stands at 49. Jim Nowak had completed 48 straight but was forced to DNF in 2025 due to illness.
2025 – Paul Stangl
2024 – John Friday, Conrad Hjort, Steve Kagol, Terry Lueders
2023 – Jim Boatman, Michael Goodoien, Tim McCollor
2022 – Greg Allen, Matt Evans, John Hogan
2021 – Mike Korpi, Larry McNichols
2020 – n/a
2019 – Alan Evans, Jim Evans, Bob Stavig
2018 – James Kirkham
2017 – Neil Franz, Joe Johnson, John Naslund, Jim Nowak