Don Ness, Roger Reinert Receive Grandma’s Marathon’s Rudy Perpich Public Service Award

The 11th annual Rudy Perpich Public Service Award Breakfast was held this morning at Duluth's Radisson Hotel, and this year two people were honored for their longtime contributions to Grandma's Marathon.

Former Mayor of Duluth Don Ness and State Senator Roger Reinert were the 2016 recipients of the award, named after late Minnesota Governor Rudy Perpich, who was a strong supporter of Grandma's Marathon.

This is the first of many events being held during Grandma's Marathon weekend.  The Essentia Health Fitness & Health Expo begins at 4 p.m. today at the DECC and continues all day on Friday, June 17. Runners can also start picking up their race packets at 4 p.m. today at the expo.

Other Friday events include the Michelina's All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti Dinner, the Whipper Snapper Races for Kids, guest speaker presentations, the William A. Irvin 5K and live entertainment in Canal Park with Smash Mouth and Shane Martin.

Saturday, of course, is Grandma's Marathon and the Gary Bjorklund Half Marathon, followed by day and evening entertainment in Canal Park.

Good luck to all the runners and a big "thank you" to all the volunteers who make all the events possible.