SUPER ONE FOODS, MINER FAMILY TO RECEIVE 2024 MAC WELLES AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

Family Has Participated & Provided Support for More Than 3 Decades

(DULUTH, MINN.) — Super One Foods and the Miner family have been named the 2024 recipients of the Mac Welles Award of Excellence, it was announced today by Grandma’s Marathon.

The Miner family’s involvement with Grandma’s Marathon dates to the late 1990s, when Jim Jr. ran his first Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon – he’s signed up this year for No. 24, and many other family members have also participated over the years.

As a company, Super One Foods began its sponsorship of Grandma’s Marathon in 2006 and since then has been providing race support, beverages, and snacks for all the weekend’s events, including at the finish line of the marathon and half marathon. The team also staffs two food stations on the racecourse, handing out fresh fruit at locations adjacent to the company’s Lakeside and Plaza stores in Duluth.

“The most rewarding part is seeing how thankful each and every racer is for the support,” Miner’s, Inc. President Patrick Miner said. “From smiles to high fives to hugs, we’ve seen in it all over the years and it’s what brings us all back to do it again.”

The Miners are accepting the award on behalf of their extended Super One Foods family, with which they’ve focused on “going above and beyond” to take care of the communities they serve.

“We are incredibly humbled to be receiving this award,” Patrick said. “Our family and Super One team are proud to serve our community through Grandma’s Marathon, which brings out the best in all of us as we compete, volunteer, and cheer on our family and friends.”

Named after longtime Grandma’s Marathon employee and volunteer Mac Welles, this award is presented each year to an individual who or organization that has shown many years of dedication, commitment, and service to the continued development and growth of Grandma’s Marathon.

The Miners and the rest of the Super One Foods team will officially be presented with their award on Friday, June 21 at the 2024 Grandma’s Marathon Awards Luncheon at The Garden Event Center in Duluth.

MAC WELLES AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

2024 – Super One Foods

2023 – Tom Rovinsky

2022 – Al Haeg

2020-21 – n/a

2019 – Country Hearth Bread

2018 – Jim Kari, Peter Kolar, David Solon

2017 – Jeff Foster Trucking

2016 – Kathy Bauer

2015 – Upper Lakes Foods

2014 – Gordy Anderson, Mike Persing

2013 – Duane Madison

2012 – Chris & Stephanie LaFleur

2011 – David Bridges

2010 – Spirit Mountain Ski Patrol

2009 – Sue Bussa

2008 – Jeff Frey

2007 – Leah Hulst, Sandy Brennan

2006 – Marian Holmes

2005 – Gert Belsvick

2004 – Dan Russell

2003 – Tom Ehle

2002 – Mike Krois

2001 – Chester Keenan