Start Line Flyover Has Become Popular Tradition of Grandma’s Marathon
(DULUTH, MINN.) – The Minnesota National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing has been named the recipient of 2026 Rudy Perpich Public Service Award, it was announced today by Grandma’s Marathon.
The guard members have long been active on Grandma’s Marathon weekend, whether it’s through participating, volunteering, or simply supporting. While the 148th Fighter Wing doesn’t have “its spot” on the Grandma’s Marathon racecourse, the event is something near and dear to a lot of its members.
“Grandma’s Marathon is cornerstone of our community,” Colonel Scott Prom said. “It’s a showcase of the spirit and endurance of Minnesota. For years, our members have proudly supported this event.”
One perk for the race over the years is its proximity to the Duluth guard base, which has created opportunity in many years for a ceremonial military flyover at the start line. That relationship has become more official in the last decade, and now the flyover is one of Grandma’s Marathon’s most treasured traditions.
This year, Prom will be one of the pilots flying over the 50th annual Grandma’s Marathon.
“I’ll be covering the 26.2-mile course twice in about 4 minutes,” Prom joked. “Anyone want to place a wager on beating that?”
The relationship has gone both ways over the years, with Grandma’s Marathon supporting deployed members of the 148th Fighter Wing enjoy virtual events by sending finisher medals, shirts, and other race supplies overseas.
“That kind of support means the world to our members when they’re thousands of miles away from their families and friends,” Prom said. “Our relationship with the race truly has been a two-way street.”
Prom and the 148th Fighter Wing were officially presented with the 2026 Rudy Perpich Public Service Award on Thursday, June 18 during a breakfast at The Garden Event Center in Duluth.
RUDY PERPICH PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD
2026
148th Fighter Wing
2025
Chad Nagorski, Duluth Police Dept.
Mayo Clinic Ambulance
Lake County Ambulance
2024
John Petrich, Chaplain, Duluth Police Dept.
Clifton Volunteer Fire Department
2023
Pete Goman, Minnesota State Patrol
Mike Tusken, Duluth Police Dept.
2022
Carey Johnson, Lake County Sheriff
Bob Shene, Duluth Police Dept.
2019
Phil Olsen, Essentia Health & Marathon Security
Joe Tarnowski, DECC
2018
David Montgomery, City of Duluth
William Stovern, Duluth Police Dept.
2017
Kevin Gray, St. Louis County
Erik Rish, Duluth Police Dept.
2016
Don Ness, City of Duluth
Roger Reinert, Minnesota State Senator
2015
Kevin Hakala, City of Duluth
Shawn McGovern, Cities of Duluth & Proctor
Brad Wick, Duluth Police Dept.
2014
Jim Benning, City of Duluth
Bob LeDoux, City of Duluth
Earl Stewart, City of Duluth
2013
Tom Ehle, Duluth Police Dept.
Brad Miller, Minnesota Dept. of Transportation
John Schlangen, Lake County Highway Dept.
2012
Steve Anderson, St. Louis County
Gary Doty, City of Duluth
Paul Scanlan, City of Duluth
2011
Scott Collver, Minnesota Dept. of Transportation
John Foschi, City of Proctor
George Lewis, Duluth Parks & Recreation
2010
Al Goodman, Lake County
Kent Lunda, St. Louis County
Ed Moroney, Duluth Police Dept.
2009
Jim Miles, Minnesota Dept. of Transportation
Sharon Montgomery, Duluth Police Dept.
Doug Nelson, City of Duluth
2008
William Amberg, Minnesota Dept. of Transportation
Bob Troolin, City of Duluth
Mark Wick, Duluth Police Dept.
2007
Helene Abbott, Duluth Police Dept.
Roberta Dwyer, Minnesota Dept. of Transportation
Jim Gorny, City of Duluth
2006
Bob Brandt, Lake County Highway Dept.
Richard Hansen, Minnesota Dept. of Transportation
Lenore Johnson, Lake County Board of Commissioners
ABOUT GRANDMA’S MARATHON
Started by a local group of runners in 1977, Grandma’s Marathon has grown from just 150 participants its first year to now one of the largest and best-known marathons in the United States. Widely regarded as a world class event with small town charm, our race has now added the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon and William A. Irvin 5K to its weekend offerings.
With all three races combined, our race weekend welcomes more than 20,000 participants – usually from all 50 states and from 70+ different countries – and brings with it close to $40M of economic impact to the region.
The race got its name from the Duluth-based group of famous Grandma’s Restaurants, the first major sponsor of the marathon. As the popularity of Grandma’s Marathon weekend has grown, our mission has stayed the same – to organize, promote, and deliver annual events and programs that cultivate running, educational, social, and charitable opportunities to our communities.
Grandma’s Marathon-Duluth, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization with a 10-person, full-time staff and a 17-member Board of Directors.