Johnny Coffin: From Runway to Raceway

By Martin Zeilig

It wasn’t the hum of jet engines that stirred the morning of June 21, 2025—it was the rhythmic pounding of thousands of determined feet along Minnesota’s windswept North Shore.

Johnny Grandmas

Among them, cloaked not in a flight suit but in racing gear, was Lieutenant Colonel John “Johnny” Coffin, Senior Staff Officer of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems at 1 Canadian Air Division Headquarters. But that day, he wasn’t orchestrating aerial missions—he was orchestrating his own surge across the legendary route of the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon.

The Marathon Setting 

Held annually in Duluth, Grandma’s Marathon isn’t just a race—it’s a pageant of grit and glory. With Lake Superior lapping beside runners and the mighty Aerial Lift Bridge framing the finish, the course whispers tales of triumph. It’s named after Grandma’s Restaurant, a local beacon since 1977 when the marathon first took flight. Now nearly 20,000 strong, this running festival pumps life into the city like spring thaw after a deep freeze.

Johnny’s Flight Plan 

At 43 years old, Johnny soared with purpose. Representing Winnipeg, Manitoba, he lined up with over 8,000 fellow runners in the Half Marathon event.

“Typically, this race weekend will see over 20,000 runners,” he said, during an email interview with the Voxair. “And this year the Half Marathon had over 8000.”

His mission was clear: “I chose this Half Marathon because it attracts a lot of high-caliber runners,” LCol Coffin explained. “My intent was to use those faster runners to pull me along during the race so that I could achieve the best time possible.”

He had trained relentlessly for this moment, logging 80 to 130 kilometers a week, six to seven days at a time.

“Anyone who knows me, knows that I run A LOT,” he confessed.

“I love how simple the sport is and with the right equipment, you can do it anywhere at anytime—including outside during a Winnipeg winter at minus 40 degrees.”

Johnny Grandmas posing with his medal

Mission Time 

Despite fierce weather conditions—a 30-minute delay caused by a thunderstorm, 100% humidity, and a surprise 20 km/hr headwind—LCol Coffin adapted on the fly.

“With any race, you control the controllables,” he said.

“After a discussion with my coach (my wife, Carolyn) I decided that a personal best would not be in the cards and that I should slow the pace down in order to finish strong.”

And finish strong he did, clocking in at 1:16:50, just six seconds shy of his lifetime best, earning 109th overall.

 “I have to try again,” he said, noting that he’s already eyeing his next goal.

From Skies to Streets 

Coffin’s year is broken down into distinct “running seasons.”

He builds winter speed and strength indoors at the University of Manitoba, spring shifts toward longer races with controlled intensity, summer eases into long, slow foundation miles, and fall brings the marathon focus.

“This Half Marathon was my Spring A race,” he revealed.

 “Everything I did during my Spring season of running (including both training and B and C races) was used so that I would peak for this Half Marathon.”

Legacy at Lift Bridge 

From Prince Edward Island roots to 27 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, LCol Coffin’s life reads like a story of service and stride.

“I’ve participated in many CAF sports competitions from ice and ball hockey, soccer, volleyball, softball and of course, running,” he said.

Currently the CAF Running Chief Official and a member of the CISM marathon team, Johnny is no stranger to pushing limits.

His next mission? Representing the CISM team at the Canadian Half Marathon Championships on August 17 in Edmonton.

“And as the older guy on the team, I also qualify as a participant in the Canadian Masters’ Half Marathon Championship for the same race.”

Colleagues know him as a strategic mind behind Canada’s UAS program, but marathoners say the road reveals character.

LCol Coffin’s road was etched with quiet courage, military precision, and relentless drive.

He lets his stride do the talking—commanding kilometers with the discipline of a soldier and the heart of a lifelong runner.