Grandma’s Marathon Announces 2013 Volunteer Of The Year

Grandma’s Marathon has announced its 2013 Don Fennessy Volunteer of the Year. Al and Jan Swanson received the award at the organization’s volunteer appreciation event Sunday night at Grandma’s Sports Garden.

Since 1985, Al and Jan have been racecourse timers for Grandmas Marathon.  The duo is responsible for setting up and running the clock at the 13.1 mile mark.

Jan has also volunteered for the ALS Blizzard Tour and the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon and has worked with earthquake victims in Haiti. She enjoys a profession in physical therapy, while Al works as a commercial carpenter. The Swansons have four children and enjoy spending free time watching them participate in sports.

The Grandma's Marathon Don Fennessy 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 success and enjoyment of the event and its operation. It is named after Don Fennessy who passed away in 2011. Fennessy, a 2004 Grandma’s Marathon Hall of Fame inductee, was an original member of both the Grandma’s Marathon board of directors and Young Athletes Foundation committee.

For more information, visit www.GrandmasMarathon.com or call (218) 727-0947.