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Grandma's Marathon

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Grandma's Marathon
2021 Grandma's Marathon race logo
DateJune 21, 2025
LocationTwo Harbors, Minnesota to Duluth, Minnesota
Distance26.2 miles (42.2 km)
Primary sponsorGrandma's Restaurant and others
Established1977
Course recordsMen: 2:09:06 (2014)
Dominic Ondoro
Women: 2:23:52 (2024)
Volha Mazuronak
Official sitehttp://www.grandmasmarathon.com
Participants7,000+

Grandma's Marathon (Grandma's) is an annual road race held each June in Duluth, Minnesota, in the United States. The course runs point-to-point from the city of Two Harbors on Scenic Route 61 and continues along Lake Superior into the city of Duluth. The finish is located in Canal Park, near Grandma's Restaurant, which is next to the highly visible Aerial Lift Bridge.[1]

Race history

[edit]
Finishers by year, total and men and women

Scott Keenan, a member of the North Shore Striders running group, had the idea to start a marathon from Two Harbors to Duluth but was turned down by local banks and businesses in 1976.[2] The newly opened Grandma's Restaurant was the only local business that would sponsor the then-fledgling event, providing $600 out of a race budget between $600 and $1200.[3][4] The registration fee for the first running of the event was $3.[5] In 1986, Grandma's Saloon and Deli announced it could no longer afford to provide Grandma's Marathon the budget it deserved. It contributed $55,000, but the race had an estimated budget of $250,000 that year.[6]

Grandma's was first run in 1977 with only 150 participants. The first race was won by Minnesotan and 1976 Olympic 10000m runner Garry Bjorklund and Wendy Hovland.[7][8] The first running of Grandma's Marathon had a four hour time-cutoff.[9]

Grandma's Marathon is now run by almost 20,000 participants every year, has nearly a $2 million operating budget and is credited with increasing tourism within the city of Duluth.[10][11][12] The race is a major event on the North Shore, filling hotels in many cities around Duluth. Thousands of runners and visitors fill the marathon, half and 5 km races. As of 2016, VisitDuluth estimated 65,000 people visit Duluth for Grandma's and spend a total of $10 million.[13][14] After high numbers in the 1990s and 2000s, 2009 was the first time in 15 years that all of the 9,500 available spots were not filled, leading to a deficit in the race budget. Executive director Scott Keenan suggested that the economy was the main reason for the downturn in participants.[15][16] Lifetime entries were offered in 1987 (for $100) and again in 1990 (for $125) to help increase the number of runners entering the race.[17][18]

The men's record for Grandma's is 2:09:06, set in 2014 by Dominic Ondoro of Kenya.[19][20] The previous record of 2:09:37, set in 1981 by Wayzata, Minnesota-native Dick Beardsley stood for 33 years before being broken.

The women's record time is 2:23:52, set in 2024 by Volha Mazuronak.[21]

In 2005, Halina Karnatsevich was the first finisher with a time of 2:33:39 but she was later disqualified for failing her post-race doping test.[22]

The 35th edition of the marathon in 2011 had its first photo-finish: eventual winner Christopher Kipyego mistook the electronic timing mat for the finish point and prematurely stopped, leading to an impromptu sprint finish against Teklu Deneke. Just two tenths of a second ended up separating the pair.[23]

The 37th running of the race in 2013 saw the first time that more people registered for the Bjorklund Half Marathon than Grandma's Marathon. There were 7,835 registered for the Bjorklund Half Marathon but only 7,338 people registered for Grandma's Marathon.[24][25]

The 40th annual race in 2016 set a record for the largest number of finishers at 7,423.[26] 2016 also saw a record number of female finishers at 3,742, just short of the men's total at 3,780.[27]

In 2020, Grandma's Marathon added a woman to its official logo in a move organizers said was "long over-due."[28]

The race was run every year for 44 years until the COVID-19 pandemic. Race officials monitored the spread of COVID-19 in the state, and as the count of infected grew in St. Louis County, concerns mounted. On March 25, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced a "stay at home" executive order for all citizens of the state. Three days into the "stay at home" order, Grandma's Marathon officials announced that, for the first time, the marathon, the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon and the William A. Irvin 5K would be canceled. No refunds or deferments were granted, but officials offered those who had already signed up a 40 percent discount on the 2021 or 2022 race.[29][30]

The 48th annual race in 2024 set a new event record for the largest number of finishers at 7,536.[31] With 3,126 female finishers, 2024 did not surpass the 2016 record number of female finishers at 3,742.[32]

The Grandma's Marathon course has several iconic landmarks, including:

Race Weekend

[edit]
William A. Irvin 5 km race in June 2024
Al Franken and Wesley Ngetich Kimutai at the 2007 Grandma's Marathon

What started in 1977 as a single race has grown to a weekend of running events hosted by the Grandma's Marathon organization.[37]

Thursday starts the health expo at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. Races begin Friday, kicked off with Whipper Snapper races for kids at Bayfront Festival Park, followed by the William A. Irvin 5K, which was first run in 1994. The race is named after the Great Lakes ore boat docked in the slip at the canal; the course starts at the stern, circles the canal area and finishes at the bow. Nearly 2,000 runners participate.

Early Saturday morning, the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon, kicks off, sending more than 7,000 runners south on Scenic Route 61 to Duluth. The half marathon was first run in 1991 and has since eclipsed the marathon in participation by a few hundred runners. The race starts near the Talmadge River.[38]

The half marathon begins at 6:00 am. The full marathon begins at 7:40 am for men's elite and sub-elite, followed by women's elite, sub-elite and citizens at 7:45.

Throughout the rest of the year, the Grandma's Marathon organization runs other races, such as the Fitger's 5k, the Park Point 5 Miler, and the Grandma's Minnesota Mile.[39]Grandma’s Marathon was the 10th largest marathon in the United States in 2023

Past winners

[edit]

Key:   Course record   American championship race

Edition Date Men's Winner Time
(h:m:s) 		Women's Winner Time
(h:m:s) 		Non-Binary Winner Time
(h:m:s)
1 1977-06-25  Garry Bjorklund (USA) 2:21:54  Wendy Hovland (USA) 3:23:39
2 1978-06-24  Barney Klecker (USA) 2:18:42  Cheryl Westrum (USA) 2:57:14
3 1979-06-23  Ricky Wilde (ENG) 2:14:44  Lorraine Moller (NZL) 2:37:37
4 1980-06-21  Garry Bjorklund (USA) 2:10:20  Lorraine Moller (NZL) 2:38:35
5 1981-06-20  Dick Beardsley (USA) 2:09:37  Lorraine Moller (NZL) 2:29:35
6 1982-06-19  Dick Beardsley (USA) 2:14:50  Janice Ettle (USA) 2:41:21
7 1983-06-11  Gerry Helme (ENG) 2:12:10  Jenny Spangler (USA) 2:33:52
8 1984-06-16  Derek Stevens (ENG) 2:12:41  Anne Hird (USA) 2:37:30
9 1985-06-15  Don Norman (USA) 2:11:08  Susan Stone (CAN) 2:39:45
10 1986-06-21  Joseph Kipsang (KEN) 2:12:53  Karlene Herrell (USA) 2:38:45
11 1987-06-20  Dan Schlesinger (USA) 2:16:00  Janis Klecker (USA) 2:36:12
12 1988-06-11  Armando Azócar (VEN) 2:20:07  Jacqueline Gareau (CAN) 2:43:27
13 1989-06-17  Doug Kurtis (USA) 2:16:49  Louise Mohanna (USA) 2:39:50
14 1990-06-23  Igor Braslavskiy (URS) 2:18:12  Jane Welzel (USA) 2:33:25
15 1991-06-22  Driss Dacha (MAR) 2:13:59  Janice Ettle (USA) 2:35:27
16 1992-06-20  Roy Dooney (IRL) 2:13:25  Jane Welzel (USA) 2:33:01
17 1993-06-19  Doug Kurtis (USA) 2:16:38  Lorraine Hochella (USA) 2:34:46
18 1994-06-18  Donald Johns (USA) 2:18:19  Linda Somers (USA) 2:33:42
19 1995-06-17  Mark Curp (USA) 2:15:23  Irina Bogachova (KGZ) 2:34:11
20 1996-06-22  Patrick Muturi (KEN) 2:13:43  Mary Alico (USA) 2:32:42
21 1997-06-21  Patrick Muturi (KEN) 2:15:44  Irina Bogachova (KGZ) 2:38:44
22 1998-06-20  Simon Peter (TAN) 2:12:47  Elena Plastinina (UKR) 2:35:46
23 1999-06-19  Andrew Musuva (KEN) 2:13:22  Elena Makalova (BLR) 2:29:13
24 2000-06-17  Pavel Andreyev (RUS) 2:14:31  Svetlana Şepelev-Tcaci (MDA) 2:33:53
25 2001-06-16  Benjamin Matolo (KEN) 2:14:25  Lyubov Belavina (RUS) 2:35:13
26 2002-06-22  Elly Rono (KEN) 2:10:57  Zinaida Semenova (RUS) 2:32:21
27 2003-06-21  Joseph Kamau (KEN) 2:11:22  Firiya Sultanova (RUS) 2:27:05
28 2004-06-19  Vladimir Tyamchik (BLR) 2:17:59  Firiya Sultanova (RUS) 2:35:08
29 2005-06-18  Wesley Ngetich (KEN) 2:13:18  Halina Karnatsevich (BLR) [40] 2:28:43
30 2006-06-17  Sergey Lukin (RUS) 2:14:30  Svetlana Nekhorosh (UKR) 2:37:33
31 2007-06-16  Wesley Ngetich (KEN) 2:15:55  Mary Akor (USA) 2:35:40
32 2008-06-21  Lamech Mokono (KEN) 2:13:39  Mary Akor (USA) 2:38:50
33 2009-06-20  Christopher Raabe (USA) 2:15:13  Mary Akor (USA) 2:36:52
34 2010-06-19  Philemon Kemboi (KEN) 2:15:44  Buzunesh Deba (ETH) 2:31:35
35 2011-06-19  Christopher Kipyego (KEN) 2:12:16  Yihunlish Delelecha (ETH) 2:30:39
36 2012-06-16  Berhanu Girma (ETH) 2:12:24  Everlyne Lagat (KEN) 2:33:13
37 2013-06-22  Bazu Worku (ETH) 2:11:12  Sarah Kiptoo (KEN) 2:26:32
38 2014-06-21  Dominic Ondoro (KEN) 2:09:06  Pasca Myers (KEN) 2:33:45
39 2015-06-20  Elisha Barno (KEN) 2:10:36  Jane Kibii (KEN) 2:32:06
40 2016-06-18  Elisha Barno (KEN) 2:11:26  Sarah Kiptoo (KEN) 2:33:28
41 2017-06-17  Elisha Barno (KEN) 2:12:06  Hellen Jepkurgat (KEN) 2:32:09
42 2018-06-16  Elisha Barno (KEN) 2:10:06  Kellyn Taylor (USA) 2:24:28
43 2019-06-22[41]  Boniface Kongin (KEN) 2:11:56  Nell Rojas (USA) 2:28:06
44 2020-06-20* Race canceled due to COVID-19 xx:xx:xx Race canceled due to COVID-19 xx:xx:xx
45 2021-06-19  Milton Rotich (KEN) 2:13:03  Dakotah Lindwurm (USA) 2:29:04
46 2022-06-18  Dominic Ondoro (KEN) 2:09:34  Dakotah Lindwurm (USA) 2:25:01
47 2023-06-17[42]  Elisha Barno (KEN) 2:09:14  Lauren Hagans (USA) 2:25:55  Steven Bugarin (USA) 2:50:29[43]
48 2024-06-22[44]  Elisha Barno (KEN) 2:10:54  Volha Mazuronak (BLR) 2:23:52  Zoey Viavattine (USA) 2:44:43[45]

* After canceling the race, a "virtual race" was held.[46]

Multiple winners, men

[edit]
6 wins[47]
2 wins


Multiple winners, women

[edit]
3 wins
2 wins

Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon past winners

[edit]

Key:   Course record   American championship race

Edition Date Men's Winner Time
(h:m:s) 		Women's Winner Time
(h:m:s)
1 1991-06-22  Thomas Plechter (USA) 1:08:44  Doris Widsand-Dausman (USA) 1:23:05
2 1992-06-20  Dan Carlson (USA) 1:07:27  Jill Anderson (USA) 1:21:28
3 1993-06-19  Dan Carlson (USA) 1:06:31  Kari Beasley (USA) 1:19:09
4 1994-06-18  Dan Carlson (USA) 1:08:20  Julie Cotter (USA) 1:25:30
5 1995-06-17  Thomas Plechter (USA) 1:09:22  Laurel Park (USA) 1:14:11
6 1996-06-22  Curt Kotsonas (USA) 1:06:12  Debra Gormley (USA) 1:16:57
7 1997-06-21  Sean Mulheron (USA) 1:07:30  Debra Gormley (USA) 1:20:05
8 1998-06-20  Sean Mulheron (USA) 1:06:53  Kelly Keeler (USA) 1:15:16
9 1999-06-19  Ryan Meissen (USA) 1:08:14  Mary Button (USA) 1:20:53
10 2000-06-17  Ryan Meissen (USA) 1:08:09  Kelly Keeler (USA) 1:16:21
11 2001-06-16  Ryan Meissen (USA) 1:06:10  Kelly Keeler (RUS) 1:15:48
12 2002-06-22  Ryan Meissen (USA) 1:04:19  Debra Gormley (USA) 1:20:18
13 2003-06-21  Jason Lehmkuhle (USA) 1:06:43  Colleen De Reuch (USA) 1:10:00
14 2004-06-19  Ryan Meissen (USA) 1:05:51  Deena Kastor (RUS) 1:10:30
15 2005-06-18  Ryan Meissen (USA) 1:06:38  Jennifer Blue (USA) 1:17:44
16 2006-06-17  Matt Hooley (USA) 1:06:40  Desiree Budd (USA) 1:15:33
17 2007-06-16  Chad Johnson (USA) 1:05:18  Paige Higgins (USA) 1:14:46
18 2008-06-21  Matthew Chesang (KEN) 1:04:48  Liza Hunter-Galvan (USA) 1:13:29
19 2009-06-20  Ernest Kebenei (USA) 1:05:15  Belainesh Gebre (ETH) 1:11:57
20 2010-06-19  Stephen Muange (KEN) 1:04:24  Caroline Rotich (KEN) 1:12:40
21 2011-06-19  Derese Deniboba (ETH) 1:02:19  Katie McGregor (USA) 1:13:18
22 2012-06-16  Abdi Abdirahman (USA) 1:02:46  Kara Goucher (USA) 1:09:46
23 2013-06-22  Meb Keflezighi (USA) 1:01:22  Adrianna Nelson (USA) 1:09:57
24 2014-06-21  Julius Koskei (KEN) 1:03:36  Cynthia Limo (KEN) 1:09:50
25 2015-06-20  Shadrack Biwott (USA) 1:03:09  Neely Spence Gracey (USA) 1:11:27
26 2016-06-18  Macdonald Ondara (KEN) 1:03:33  Simegn Abnet Yeshanbel (ETH) 1:13:21
27 2017-06-17  Evans Kurui (KEN) 1:03:05  Biruktayit Degefa (ETH) 1:11:25
28 2018-06-16  Panuel Mkungo (KEN) 1:02:50  Monicah Ngige (KEN) 1:09:55
29 2019-06-19  Panuel Mkungo (KEN) 1:02:37  Katy Jermann (USA) 1:10:27
xx 2020-06-20* Race canceled due to COVID-19 xx:xx:xx Race canceled due to COVID-19 xx:xx:xx
31 2021-06-19  Mohamed Hrezi (LIB) 1:04:14  Ann Centner (USA) 1:14:23
32 2022-06-18  Daniel Kemoi (KEN) 1:02:03  Rosie Edwards (UK) 1:12:45
33 2023-06-17  Joel Reichow (USA) 1:02:30  Maggie Montoya (USA) 1:09:26
34 2024-06-22  Tebello Ramakongoana (LES) 1:00:17  Annie Frisbie (USA) 1:07:33

* After canceling the race, a "virtual race" was held.[48]

Multiple winners, men

[edit]
6 wins
3 wins
2 wins

Multiple winners, women

[edit]
3 wins
2 wins

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Grandma's Marathon :: Races - Grandma's Marathon". Archived from the original on 2007-06-01. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
  2. ^ Marx, Patrick (19 June 1980). "Grandma's marathon makes strides towards acceptance". Minneapolis Tribune.
  3. ^ Weegman, Rick (20 June 2020). "Daugherty on quite a run - Grandma's Restaurant Co. president recalls memorable 1986 marathon, contributions to race". Duluth News-Tribune.
  4. ^ Roe, Joe (9 June 1985). "The Man Who Runs Grandma's Marathon". Minneapolis Star and Tribune.
  5. ^ Frazzini, Kevin (23 June 2002). "RETRO - Then and now: Grandma's Marathon". Minnesota Star Tribune..
  6. ^ Hobbs, Maurice (14 September 1986). "Demand brings Grantsburg's Syttende Mai back from the dead". Minneapolis Star and Tribune.
  7. ^ Weiner, Jay (23 June 1979). "Grandma's Deli Serves Up Popular Duluth Marathon Today". Minneapolis Tribune.
  8. ^ Weiner, Jay (5 June 1983). "Grandma's race has become Duluth festival". Minneapolis Star and Tribune.
  9. ^ Hobbs, Maurice (25 April 1993). "True marathoner? It's a matter of time". Minnesota Star Tribune.
  10. ^ Tuck, Brigid; Bennett, John. Economic Contribution of 2019 Grandma’s Marathon Weekend: A REPORT OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS PROGRAM (Report). University of Minnesota Extension. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  11. ^ Oakes, Larry (20 June 1997). "Popular marathon has evolved into a mainstay for reviving port city". Minneapolis Star Tribune.
  12. ^ "Grandma's Marathon :: Other Info - History". Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
  13. ^ Pates, Kevin (17 June 2016). "Marathon played role in Duluth renewal I-35 extension, Canal Park cleanup were catalysts in making city a tourist destination". Duluth News-Tribune.
  14. ^ Kraker, Dan (16 June 2016). "Duluth tourism boom continues". Minnesota Public Radio News.
  15. ^ "Grandma's Marathon Sees Decline In Participants". KBJR TV, Inc. May 28, 2009. Archived from the original on May 30, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-03.
  16. ^ "Grandma's runs short of entrants". Star Tribune. June 2, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-03.
  17. ^ Pates, Kevin (14 June 1998). "PERSEVERANCE A FAMILY TRADITION MOTHER KEEPS MARATHON RUNNERS RETURNING HOME". Duluth News-Tribune.
  18. ^ "For some, Grandma's Marathon is the deal of a lifetime". Duluth News-Tribune. 16 June 2011.
  19. ^ St George III, Louie (22 June 2014). "GRANDMA'S MARATHON MEN - Kenya's Ondoro rides late surge to beat Beardsley's 33-year-old record". Duluth News-Tribune.
  20. ^ "Grandma's Marathon: Dominic Ondoro breaks Beardsley's 33-year-old record". Saint Paul Pioneer Press. 20 June 2014.
  21. ^ Wellens, Matt (23 June 2024). "In a class by - Belarusian Olympian Mazuronak wins women's marathon by more than six minutes". Duluth News-Tribune.
  22. ^ Olson, Rochelle (15 December 2006). "Marathon winner is disqualified - The top female runner at this year's Grandma's Marathon tested positive for steroid use". Minnesota Star Tribune.
  23. ^ Pates, Kevin (18 June 2011). "Kipyego leads pack in closest finish in Grandma's Marathon history". Superior Telegram..
  24. ^ "Trafeh, Nelson win USA Half Marathon championships". June 22, 2013.
  25. ^ "Grandma's Marathon 2014 Registration Opens July 2, 2013". 27 June 2013.
  26. ^ "Barno, Kiptoo claim victories at Grandma's Marathon". Superior Telegraph. 18 June 2016.
  27. ^ "Historical results for Grandma's Marathon".
  28. ^ Johnson, Brooks (11 September 2020). "Grandma's Marathon adds female runner to its official logo". Minnesota Star Tribune.
  29. ^ "Grandma's Marathon canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic". Eden Prairie, Minnesota: KMSP–TV. FOX. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  30. ^ Grandma's Marathon staff (31 March 2020). "COVID-19 Update/Cancellation". grandmasmarathon.com. Duluth, Minnesota. Archived from the original on 2 April 2020. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  31. ^ "Grandma's Marathon 2016 results".
  32. ^ "Grandma's Marathon". mtecresults.com.
  33. ^ Johnson, Kenny (23 June 2024). "Runners' favorite spots on the Grandma's route". WDIO News. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  34. ^ Deuser, Cindy (24 June 2009). "Runner appreciates Grandma's Marathon". Duluth News-Tribune.
  35. ^ "Grandma's Marathon 2024". Duluth News Tribune. 19 June 2024.
  36. ^ Passi, Peter (3 November 2017). "Slip seawalls to be replaced - Duluth settles on plan to fund a $6 million project". Duluth News-Tribune.
  37. ^ Derr, Cam (2022-06-15). "History of Grandma's Marathon". Fox21Online. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  38. ^ St. George, Louis (June 17, 2016). "40 years of history and counting: Grandma's Marathon has had plenty of notable moments during its long run". Sports: Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  39. ^ "Grandma's Marathon :: Races - Races for Kids". Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-06-13.
  40. ^ In 2006, after finishing first, Karnatsevich was disqualified after testing positive for steroids. She was banned from competition until 2008, but her 2005 results remained unchanged.
  41. ^ "Grandma's Marathon winners from Kenya and Boulder". 22 June 2019.
  42. ^ "Leaderboard - Grandma's Marathon - 2023 Grandma's Marathon - MTEC Results". www.mtecresults.com. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  43. ^ "Barno, Hagans claim titles at 47th Grandma's". Saint Paul Pioneer Press. 18 June 2023.
  44. ^ "Leaderboard - Grandma's Marathon - 2024 Grandma's Marathon - MTEC Results". www.mtecresults.com. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  45. ^ Pates, Kevin (22 June 2024). "Elisha Barno wins sixth Grandma's Marathon; Volha Mazuronak sets women's course record - Mazuronak has twice finished fifth at the Olympics, but can't compete this year because Belarus is banned". Minnesota Star Tribune.
  46. ^ "Grandma's Marathon Offers Virtual Race for 2020". Northern News Now. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  47. ^ Bass, Alexis (2024-06-22). "SIX-TIME CHAMP: Grandma's Marathon Hall of Famer, Elisha Barno captures his sixth crown in Duluth". Northern News Now. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  48. ^ "Grandma's Marathon Offers Virtual Race for 2020". Northern News Now. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
[edit]
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