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Lead Stories: Friday, September 5, 2008

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

Grandma's Marathon Logo 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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Prize Money Doubled for Garry Bjorklund Half-Marathon

Posted February 28th, 2008 at 1:30 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons

Organizers of the Garry Bjorklund Half-Marathon, held on conjunction with the well-known Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minn., announced that they have doubled the prize money purse for the 2008 edition of the race, scheduled for Sunday, June 21. This will be the second year that the half-marathon will offer cash prizes.

“The addition of a cash purse in 2007 helped us attract a quality field of elite runners, and we expect this increase will bring in an even stronger group of half marathoners this year,” said Scott Keenan, executive director of Grandma’s Marathon, in a prepared statement.
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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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Grandma’s Marathon institutes new Anti-Doping Policy

Posted May 1st, 2007 at 2:39 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Drugs In Sports

Grandma’s Marathon (Duluth, Minn.) has instituted a new anti-doping policy which is designed to supplement anti-doping efforts already being made by USA Track & Field (USATF) and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). The four points of the policy are:

The disqualification of any athlete testing positive for a banned substance at any Grandma’s Marathon event.
The race will not recruit, subsidize or otherwise assist any athlete who has previously been suspended for using a banned substance.
Grandma’s Marathon organizers will cease relationships with the coach and/or agent of any athlete suspended for banned drug use.
Elite athletes competing in Grandma’s Marathon or the Garry Bjorklund Half-Marathon are required to sign an affidavit acknowledging awareness of the new drug policy stating that they are not using performance-enhancing drugs.

“It is extremely important for our sport’s future to make it loud and clear that cheating will not be tolerated,” said Scott Keenan, executive director of Grandma’s Marathon in a media release. “This policy will help us continue to do our part to inform and educate runners about the consequences and negative impacts of drug use.”
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