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Lead Stories: Saturday, September 6, 2008

Mokono & Akor Win Grandma’s Marathon

Posted June 22nd, 2008 at 10:15 AM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Lamech Mokono of Kenya and Mary Akor of Hawthorne, Calif., won yesterday’s 32nd edition of Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minn.

Mokono led all 6,759 race finishers with his personal best 2:13:39 clocking. He held off a late-race charge by compatriot David Tuwei who finished five seconds behind him.

Akor defended her title, running away from the field in 2:38:50. Her winning margin was nearly three minutes over Kenyan Margaret Toroitich. Former Duke star Sally Meyerhoff of Scottsdale, Ariz., placed third in 2:42:58.
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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.
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Grandma’s Marathon Sells Out

Posted April 7th, 2008 at 1:29 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons

For the 14th consecutive year, Grandma’s Marathon has reached its field capacity and registration for the June 21 event has been closed, organizers announced today.

Over 9700 runners have registered for the flat and scenic race from Two Harbors to Duluth, Minn., which recorded 6898 finishers last year.

Moreover, the two companion races organized for the same weekend, the 18th annual Garry Bjorklund Half-Marathon and the 15th annual William A. Irvin 5-K, are also sold out.
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Special Half-Marathon Entries To Benefit Fallen Marathoner

Posted March 27th, 2008 at 3:00 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons

The officially sold-out Garry Bjorklund Half-Marathon, which is held in conjunction with Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minn., will offer additional entries through an online auction to benefit the family of the fallen marathoner, Wesly Ngetich, who was killed during the violence in Kenya earlier this year. Ngetich won Grandma’s Marathon twice in 2005 and 2007.

“Wesly was a great champion for our event, so assisting his family is the very least we can do,” said Scott Keenan, executive director of Grandma’s Marathon. “Our donations can’t bring him back, but hopefully they can bring some financial relief to his family members as they struggle through this difficult time.”
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Train for the Marathon With Olympic Trials Hopeful, Get Colllege Credit

Posted January 7th, 2008 at 10:30 AM by Jamal Walker

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Among the thousands of runners who will participate in running events during Grandma’s Marathon weekend this June, a few dozen will be there to take a final exam. Lake Superior College is offering its unique online marathon training course again this spring, providing an opportunity to train for and run Grandma’s Marathon or the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon for college credit.

The course provides race training and nutritional information in addition to history, etiquette, and basic skills. Course work is presented online through the Lake Superior College Virtual Campus, making it easily accessible to students at a distance. Enrolled students are guaranteed entry into the marathon or half marathon. They may also arrange to compete in a comparable race to meet course requirements.

Native Duluthian Katie Koski will teach the online physical education course. Koski is an elite runner who hopes to qualify for this year’s Olympic trials in Boston. She was asked to teach the online course for Lake Superior College because of her experience competing in Grandma’s Marathon. She has run in the event eight times, finishing in the top ten on several occasions.
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