Grandma's Marathon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grandma's Marathon |
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2021 Grandma's Marathon race logo
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| Date | June 22, 2024 |
| Location | Two Harbors, Minnesota to Duluth, Minnesota |
| Distance | 26.2 miles (42.2 km) |
| Primary sponsor | Grandma's Restaurant and others |
| Established | 1977 |
| Course records | Men: 2:09:06 (2014) Dominic Ondoro Women: 2:24:28 (2018) Kellyn Taylor |
| Official site | http://www.grandmasmarathon.com |
| Participants | 7,000+ |
Grandma's Marathon, often just called Grandma's, is a super popular yearly running race in Duluth, Minnesota, United States. Every June, thousands of runners race along the beautiful shore of Lake Superior. The race starts in Two Harbors on Scenic Route 61. It finishes in Duluth's Canal Park, right by Grandma's Restaurant and the famous Aerial Lift Bridge.
Contents
The Story of Grandma's Marathon
Grandma's Marathon started small in 1977. Only 150 people ran the first race! A Minnesota runner named Garry Bjorklund, who had been in the Olympics, won that very first race.
The race needed a sponsor, and a new place called Grandma's Restaurant was the only local business willing to help. They gave $600 to support the event. That's why the race is named "Grandma's"!
Today, Grandma's Marathon is huge. Nearly 20,000 runners take part each year. It brings lots of visitors and money to the city of Duluth.
Fastest Runners and Records
The fastest time ever for a man at Grandma's Marathon is 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 6 seconds. Dominic Ondoro from Kenya set this record in 2014. Before that, a record set by Dick Beardsley in 1981 lasted for 33 years!
For women, the fastest time is 2 hours, 24 minutes, and 28 seconds. Kellyn Taylor set this amazing record in 2018.
In 2005, a runner named Halina Karnatsevich finished first. However, she was later disqualified because she failed a drug test after the race.
Race Popularity and Changes
Grandma's Marathon is a really big deal for the North Shore area. Hotels in Duluth and nearby towns fill up with runners and their families. Thousands of people join the marathon, half marathon, and 5K races.
In 2009, for the first time in 15 years, not all the 9,500 spots for the race were filled. This was likely because of the economy at the time. To encourage more runners, the organizers offered "lifetime entries" in 1987 and 1990 for a special price.
The 2011 race had a super close finish! The winner, Christopher Kipyego, stopped too early. He thought he had crossed the finish line, but he hadn't! This led to a sudden sprint against another runner, Teklu Deneke. Kipyego won by just two-tenths of a second!
In 2013, something new happened: more people signed up for the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon than for the full Grandma's Marathon.
The 40th race in 2016 had the most finishers ever, with 7,522 people completing the race. It also saw a record number of women finishers that year.
Race Canceled by COVID-19
Grandma's Marathon had been run every year for 44 years straight! But in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. As the virus spread, race officials had to make a tough choice.
On March 25, Minnesota's Governor announced a "stay at home" order. Just three days later, the organizers announced that the marathon, half marathon, and 5K races would be canceled for the first time ever. Runners who had already signed up didn't get refunds. However, they were offered a 40 percent discount for the 2021 or 2022 races.
Race Weekend Fun
What started as one race in 1977 has grown into a whole weekend of running events!
The fun begins on Thursday with a health expo at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. Races start on Friday. First are the "Whipper Snapper" races for kids at Bayfront Festival Park. Then comes the William A. Irvin 5K race, which started in 1994. This race is named after a large ship docked nearby. It starts at the back of the ship, goes around the canal area, and finishes at the front. Nearly 2,000 runners join this 5K!
Early on Saturday morning, the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon kicks off. More than 7,000 runners head south on Scenic Route 61 towards Duluth. The half marathon began in 1991 and now has even more participants than the full marathon.
The half marathon starts at 6:00 AM. The full marathon begins shortly after, with elite men runners starting at 7:40 AM, followed by elite women and other runners at 7:45 AM.
Throughout the rest of the year, the Grandma's Marathon group also organizes other races. These include the Fitger's 5K, the Park Point 5 Miler, and the Grandma's Minnesota Mile. In 2023, Grandma's Marathon was the 10th largest marathon in the United States!
Past Winners of Grandma's Marathon
Key: Course record American championship race
| Edition | Date | Men's Winner | Time (h:m:s) |
Women's 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) |
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 | Boniface Kongin (KEN) |
2:11:56 | Nell Rojas (USA) |
2:28:06 |
| xx | 2020-06-20* | Race canceled due to COVID-19 | xx:xx:xx | Race canceled due to COVID-19 | xx:xx:xx |
| 44 | 2021-06-19 | Milton Rotich (KEN) |
2:13:03 | Dakotah Lindwurm (USA) |
2:29:04 |
| 45 | 2022-06-18 | Dominic Ondoro (KEN) |
2:09:34 | Dakotah Lindwurm (USA) |
2:25:01 |
| 46 | 2023-06-17 | Elisha Barno (KEN) |
2:09:14 | Lauren Hagans (USA) |
2:25:55 |
* After canceling the race, organizers planned to do a "virtual race."
Men with Multiple Wins
- 5 wins: Elisha Barno (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2023)
- 2 wins:
- Garry Bjorklund (1977, 1980)
- Dick Beardsley (1981, 1982)
- Doug Kurtis (1989, 1993)
- Patrick Muturi (1996, 1997)
- Dominic Ondoro (2014, 2022)
Women with Multiple Wins
- 3 wins:
- Lorraine Moller (1979, 1980, 1981)
- Mary Akor (2007, 2008, 2009)
- 2 wins:
- Janice Ettle (1982, 1991)
- Jane Welzel (1990, 1992)
- Irina Bogachova (1995, 1997)
- Firiya Sultanova (2003, 2004)
- Sarah Kiptoo (2013, 2016)
- Dakotah Lindwurm (2021, 2022)
Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Past Winners
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 |
* After canceling the race, organizers planned to do a "virtual race."
Men with Multiple Wins (Half Marathon)
- 6 wins: Ryan Meissen (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005)
- 3 wins: Dan Carlson (1992, 1993, 1994)
- 2 wins:
- Thomas Plechter (1991, 1995)
- Sean Mulheron (1997, 1998)
- Panuel Mkungo (2018, 2019)
Women with Multiple Wins (Half Marathon)
- 3 wins:
- Kelly Keeler (1998, 2000, 2001)
- Debra Gormley (1996, 1997, 2002)
- 2 wins:
- Sean Mulheron (1997, 1998)
- Panuel Mkungo (2018, 2019)
More Marathons to Explore
- Twin Cities Marathon
- Minneapolis Marathon
- Mankato Marathon
- Med City Marathon
