Grandma’s Winner Unable To Defend Title

June 18

Kerry Rodd-NSO

The biggest sporting event of the year in northern Minnesota will take place this weekend when thousands of runners descend on Duluth for the 33rd Grandma’s Marathon.

“As Duluth’s largest event, we expect about 65,000 people to take part in Grandma’s Marathon weekend activities,” said Public Relations Director Bob Gustafson. “Those numbers include runners and their family members and friends.”

Things kick off on Friday with the SMDC Running Expo at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center and continue with the Whipper Snapper Races and the William Irvin 5K on Friday night.

“Grandma’s Marathon weekend marks the beginning of the Northland summer visitor season and it generates about $8.6 million in economic impact for the area,” commented Gustafson. “With visitors from all 50 states and 44 countries, this truly is an opportunity to showcase the Northland to the world.”

The Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon will kick things off on Saturday morning with the race starting at 6:30 and then Grandma’s Marathon will follow at 7:30.

Lamech Mokono of Kenya, the defending champion of Grandma’s, will be unable to defend his title because of a delay in his visa. Mokono is one of six runners from Kenya who will be unable to run in Duluth due to delayed visa problems.

The favorite on the men’s side of the field should be another Kenyan by the name of David Tuwei who finished second last year.

Kerry Rodd can be reached at Kerry@northlandsportsonline.com