Weather Looking Up for Tomorrow’s Grandma’s Marathon
Posted June 20th, 2008 at 12:07 PM by David Monti
Section: News & Results, Marathons
After two years of unusually high heat and humidity, it appears as if the weather gods may smile on the 32nd running of Grandma’s Marathon and the Garry Bjorklund Half-Marathon here tomorrow.
Of course in Duluth, where it’s jokingly said bad weathermen are sent for punishment, anything can happen, depending on how the wind shifts off of Lake Superior, along whose shores both races are run. Last year, for instance, race day dawned with high temperatures and humidity that dashed many runners’ hopes for Boston or Olympic Trials qualifiers; the next day, the weather changed radically, with temperatures in the upper 50’s (F) and a strong tailwind.
Whatever the weather, the competition in both events figures to be typically heated, with strong fields assembled for a mid-summer race in the northern reaches of Minnesota. A sadly notable absence from the marathon start list is defending marathon champ Wesley Ngetich, one of five men who have won the race twice. Ngetich was killed during the post-election violence in his native Kenya in January. In his honor, no bib Number 1 has been issued this year, and a moment of silence will be observed before the start of all the raes this weekend. The race has raised $9,750 for Ngetich’s family through auctions and adding an additional 100 spots to the sold-out half marathon.
The top contenders in the marathon should come from a list including Tusse Feyisa and fellow Ethiopians Yonas Negatu and Tesfaye Dirba, and Kenyans Benson Cheruiyot, James Karanja, Stephen Muturi Lamech Mokono. Allen Wagner and naturalized Kenyan Simon Sawe lead the American men.
On the women’s side, defending champ Mary Akor returns, her first marathon since her 19th place finish in April’s Olympic Team Trials Marathon in Boston. Challenging her will be a pair of Kenyans, Margaret Tororitch and Anna Kibor, and a trio of Russians, Zinaida Semenova, Albina Gallyamova (40+), and Fira Sultanova-Zhdavnova (45+). Jenna Boren, Kristin Price and Sopagna Eap are the other top Americans in the field.
The Bjorklund Half, which began in 1991 as an adjunct to the full marathon, has grown to become almost as big as the 26.2 miler. The addition of prize money several years ago has made the field fairly competitive, as well. Chad Johnson returns to defend his title, accompanied by Hansons Brooks Distance Project teammates Nick Arcinaga and Mike Reneau. Johnson hopes to improve on his winning time of 65:18, perhaps knocking off a full minute to take the course record. Team USA Minnesota’s Chris Lundstrom, number two on the Bjorklund performance list, will be joined by Fernando Cabada, and course record holder Ryan Meissen among the top men.
Lundstrom’s Team USA Minnesota teammate Michelle Lillenthal, in her first race since the Olympic Trials, will be challenged by Kenyan Caroline Rotich, Gebre Belainesh of Ethiopia, Liza Hunter-Galvan of New Zealand and Slovakia’s Zuana Tomas.
The half marathon begins at the halfway point of the marathon course at 6:30 a.m., with the marathon starting one hour later.
Written by: Jim Gerweck
(c) 2008 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with permission.
***Note: We encourage EVERYONE to see a doctor before altering their diet, taking a supplement and/or performing athletic, fitness or other strenuous physical activity. It is your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any information, instruction, opinion or advice contained in the content. Please also see our complete disclaimer.***
Tags: chris lundstrom, Duluth, Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon, grandmas marathon, Hansons Brooks Distance Project, jim gerweck, Lamech Mokono, Mary Akor, Michelle Lillenthal, Mike Reneau, Minnesota, Nick Arcinaga, Team USA Minnesota, weather
Like what you see? Subscribe to our feed!
The Final Sprint