Press Release - Grandma's Marathon - 6/28/07

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                         Contact: Scott Keenan
                                                  Executive director
                                                  Bob Gustafson
                                                  Public Relations Director
                                                  (218) 727-0947

        Grandma's Marathon Recognizes Volunteers of the Year

(Duluth, Minn.) The Grandma's Marathon staff and board of directors 
presented the organization's Volunteer of the Year Award at the annual 
volunteer appreciation party on Sunday, June 24. Duluthians Steve and Joyce 
Lent received the 2007 award for their many years of service as finish line 
volunteers.

"Steve and Joyce are wonderful individuals and dedicated volunteers. We are 
so fortunate to have them on our team, and they are extremely deserving of 
this award as they have both played important roles for many years," says 
Scott Keenan, executive director of Grandma's Marathon.

In the early years, the Lents were in charge of making sure the runners 
entered the correct chutes as they approached the finish line and keeping 
everybody in order until their tag was removed from their race number. The 
couple admits that their job has now gotten easier with the introduction of 
chip timing, but that is not to say they don't keep busy on race day. With 
the marathon growing larger each year and with the addition of the Garry 
Bjorklund Half Marathon in 1991, the couple continues to play a crucial 
role in the finish line operations. They direct runners where to go as they 
cross the finish line, make sure that the path is clear of media, 
spectators and volunteers to ensure that the runners have a smooth finish, 
and help the medical team with runners who need assistance at the finish 
line.

Both Steve and Joyce agree that volunteering at Grandma's Marathon gives 
them an opportunity to give back to a community that has given so much to 
them. "It's a wonderful event and we love being at the finish line. Plus we 
feel like we owe so much to the Duluth community, and this is one of the 
ways we can give back," says Joyce.
 
Steve has worked for Minnesota Power for 34 years and is currently working 
in the marketing department. Joyce is an assistant at a daycare facility in 
Duluth's Lakeside neighborhood. 

The Grandma's Marathon 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 smooth and successful operation of Grandma's Marathon events. For more 
information, visit www.grandmasmarathon.com.
 
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