FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Three Receive Prestigious 1,000-Miler Award at 2023 Grandma's Marathon
Club of 39+ Completed Marathons in Duluth Stands at 16
(DULUTH, MINN.) --- Three more runners entered a very prestigious club over
this year's Grandma's Marathon weekend - the 1,000-Miler Award was
officially presented following the race to Jim Boatman, Michael Goodoien,
and Timothy McCollor.
Created to celebrate longevity and commitment of Grandma's Marathon
participants, the award is given to individuals who successfully complete
39 races on the 26.2-mile racecourse from Two Harbors to Duluth.
JIM BOATMAN
Boatman ran his first-ever Grandma's Marathon in 1980 and has missed only
three events since, completing his 41st race in Duluth this past weekend.
In 1981, Boatman qualified for the Boston Marathon by running a 2:59:59 -
just one second faster than the maximum time allowed. He remembers that his
mother had promised she'd pay for the trip if he qualified, but they never
did go.
His goal this year? Run another Boston qualifying time and make the trip in
memory of his parents, who he says were always his greatest supporters. He
accomplished that goal, finishing with a time of 3:52:11, and he plans to
register for the 2024 Boston Marathon.
"Being recognized by Grandma's Marathon is for sure the highlight of my
running career," Boatman said. "My mom and dad attended every marathon I
ran while they were alive, and they both would be very proud of this
honor."
MICHAEL GOODOIEN
Just three years shy of having completed every Grandma's Marathon, Goodoien
now has successfully reached the finish line in every race since 1980 - a
total of 44 marathons from Two Harbors to Duluth.
"I'm thankful to be joining the previous winners of this award," Goodoien
said, "that personifies marathoning - going the distance, longevity, and
perseverance. It's an honor to join this group of 'old timers,' but all
with enough staying power to finish the race."
TIMOTHY McCOLLOR
McCollor ran his first-ever Grandma's Marathon in 1980 at the age of 15
and, since then, has been back at the starting line every year.
His second time running in Duluth was his best, finishing with a
still-standing PR of 2:35:14 and winning the high school division. He
hasn't bested that time, but he's kept his personal streak of finishing now
for 44 years.
"Grandma's Marathon, every year, is the race I look forward to the most,"
McCollor said. "My family and friends have always been a big part of the
experience. Some have joined me for a race here and there, some have always
been around to support me. It's a big reason this race is such an enjoyable
experience each year."
With Boatman, Goodoien, and McCollor now officially part of the club, there
are now 16 people who have completed the 1,000 miles on the Grandma's
Marathon racecourse.
The trio was officially presented with their award - a Grandma's Marathon
1,000-Miler belt buckle - during a post-race ceremony on Saturday, June 17.
PREVIOUS 1,000-MILER AWARD RECIPIENTS
2022 - Greg Allen, Matt Evans, John Hogan
2021 - Mike Korpi, Larry McNichols
2020 - n/a
2019 - Alan Evans, Jim Evans, Bob Starvig
2018 - James Kirkham
2017 - Neil Franz, Joe Johnson, John Naslund, Jim Nowak
ABOUT GRANDMA'S MARATHON
Grandma's Marathon began in 1977 when a group of local runners planned a
scenic road race from Two Harbors to Duluth, Minnesota. After seeing just
150 participants that year, the race weekend has now grown into one of the
largest in the United States and welcomes more than 20,000 participants for
its three-race event each June.
The race got its name from the Duluth-based group of famous Grandma's
Restaurants, the first major sponsor of the marathon. In addition to the
26.2-mile race, the organization has now added the Garry Bjorklund Half
Marathon and William A. Irvin 5K to its weekend offerings.
As the popularity of Grandma's Marathon 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 nine-person, full-time staff and a 17-member Board of
Directors.
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