Getting Ready for Grandma's Marathon

After focusing on track and field in a large way the past few weeks -- the State Meet, the NCAAs -- it's time to return to the roads and the marathon event, for a week anyway, as we anticipate the 33rd running of Grandma's Marathon.

Duluth's signature marathon and its companion Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon take place on Saturday. The William A. Irvin 5K gets the weekend's racing underway on Friday night.

The Duluth News Tribune kicked-off their Grandma's coverage yesterday with Kevin Pates' piece, HERE, about the likelihood of a sub-two-hour marathon world record. Pates talks to DtB friend and contributor Sean Hartnett for the piece.

Today, Pates has a story, HERE, about a locally designed and manufactured shoe pedometer.

Yesterday, the DNT's Andy Greder wrote, HERE, about the economic impact of Grandma's having 1500 fewer entrants than last year. The marathon, of course, failed to sell out for the first time in 15 years.

Fast Talkers ... Grandma's marathon typically gathers a group of interesting -- and fast-running -- speakers for its Friday afternoon "lecture" program.

This year is no different. Offering marathon and distance running advice are Running Times writer Scott Douglas, Minnesota Olympian Carrie Tollefson, Olympic Marathon Gold Medalist Joan Benoit Sammuelson, and Grandma's course record-holder Dick Beardsley.

Find the presentation schedule and more information on the speakers HERE.