Grandma's Marathon Round-Up

There's lots of news coming out of Duluth about this weekend's Grandma's Marathon and its related events. Here's a round-up of those stories ...

-- Kevin Pates of the Duluth News-Tribune has a fine story HERE about women's half-marathon favorite Belianesh Gebre of Ethiopia.

-- Yesterday Pates had THIS piece about Dick Beardsley in the DNT.

-- Team USA Minnesota announced HERE that three of its athletes will be competing at Grandma's. Chris Lundstrom will race Grandma's Marathon, while Matt Gabrielson and Michelle Lilienthal will compete in the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon.

-- Grandma's Marathon announced this week that John Docter, Steve Greenfield, Kellie Luedloff, and Bill Wenmark have been named to the event's Hall of Fame.

Docter and Greenfield both have been volunteer media vehicle drivers for more than 30 years. Luedloff is a longtime volunteer and has been captain of the seven-mile water station since 1994. Wenmark is a longtime Grandma’s Marathon participant, training program founder and long-distance running ambassador.

-- Grandma's also announced its 2009 Ron Daws Ambassador Award and Award of Excellence recipients.

Jim Kirkham is this year’s Ron Daws Ambassador Award winner. Kirkham, of Minneapolis , is a longtime participant in Grandma’s Marathon ’s and a dedicated supporter of the organization’s races and events.

Sue Bussa is the 2009 recipient of the Award of Excellence, given annually to an individual for his or her dedication, commitment and service to Grandma’s Marathon . Bussa, of Duluth , was the race’s medical tent coordinator for nearly 30 years.