What do doctors say about fish being good for one’s health? Must be true because several Dockside Fish Market employees competed in the Garry Bjorklund half marathon (13.1 miles) on Saturday, June 21, finishing with tired legs but big smiles. (L-R) Michaela Bucheit, Lynn Mackey (Lynn ran the William A. Irvin 5K), Shelly Norman, and Amanda Anderson. (Not pictured: Dockside crewmember Bill Simonowicz.)
For the second year in a row the weather was perfect for running: it was cool and wet with a nice breeze at the runners’ backs for the 38th annual running of Grandma’s Marathon and the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon which was held Saturday, June 21 in Duluth.
There were 6,211 finishers (3,497 men and 2,714 women) with an average finishing time of 4:14:34.
While it was great running weather, it wasn’t quite as pleasant for volunteers and spectators. Still, like one long-time volunteer said, “We are here for the runners. That’s why we put this race on.”
In her first marathon, Ailee Larson led Cook County finishers across the line in 3:26:38. The 21-year-old Lutsen native is a record-setting collegiate runner for St. Catherine University and her first effort at the 26-mile 385- yard distance looked easy.
Four other Cook County residents completed Grandma’s Marathon: Victor Bohnen, 27, ran 3:26:38; Derek Smith, 26, ran 3:37:03; John Mellang, 59, ran 3:47:31, and Jan Horak, 66, walked the distance in 6 hours 17 minutes.
Above: Jan Horak of Tofte stopped on his way to finishing his 25th Grandma’s Marathon to say hi to Grandma’s volunteer Brian Larsen. Horak walked the distance in 6 hours and 17 minutes, saying he didn’t have one cramp along the way.
Horak completed his 25th Grandma’s Marathon. Near the finish line he stopped and talked for a while then said he was in a hurry to get back to Tofte so he could work on one of his cabins.
Bohnen said he was sore the next day but by Monday he was feeling good and getting ready to compete in the Lutsen 99er this weekend. He and Ailee Larson will both race the grueling mountain bike race with six days of rest. Oh to be young again.
Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon
Chris Hegg proved once again that age has little to do with running fast. Hegg, age 62, finished the 13.1-mile half marathon in 1:34:38 and placed fourth in the very competitive 60-64 age bracket. He was the top finisher from Cook County.
Brian Silence, 54, completed the race in a quick 1:44:49.
Top local female finisher was Stephanie Radloff, age 27, who completed the race in 1:55:17— and then headed up the shore to go to work at Devil Track Landing that evening.
Left: With her completion of the Garry Bjorklund 13- mile race in 2:26:18, Kathy Bernier, of Grand Marais, became a member of the “Half Fanatic Club.” The Grandma’s Half Marathon was her second marathon within eight days. Bernier ran the Marathon to Marathon in Marathon, Iowa on June 14.
Other local finishers include: Jennifer Gillum, 26, 2:04:03; Lindsay Mielke, 34, 206:18; Bill Simonowicz, 55, 206:36; Melanie Stoddard, 16, 2:07:16; David Gilmore, 52, 2:08:56; Paul Spry, 39, 2:08:57; sisters Jennifer Spry, 34, and Shaunna Wood, 41, tied in 2:12:58; Suzie Geatz, 44, 2:34:27; Leah Carpenter, 49, 2:36:45; Michaela Buchheit, 20, 2:36:50; Jane Howard, 52, 2:56:52; Matt Conlon, 31, 3:06:41; Shelly Norman, 55, 3:06:42; and Amanda Anderson, 3:19:26.
With her completion of the Garry Bjorklund, Kathy Bernier, 43, in 2:26:18, not only set a personal record, but also became a member of the “Half Fanatic Club.” The Grandma’s Half Marathon was her second marathon within eight days. She raced in the Marathon to Marathon in Marathon, Iowa on June 14.
All told 7,299 people finished the race (2,866 men and 4,433 women) with an average finishing time of 2:08:36.
William A. Irvin 5K
It was windy and cold for the William A. Irvin 5K (3.1-miles) run the night before the marathon and half marathon. Trent Spry, age 12, battled the elements well and ran 34:15, with his grandmother, Sharon Olson, age 58, who finished in 36:13.
Shelly Norman, 55, and her grandson Jessen Conlan, age 7, finished tied in 38:02. Lynn Mackey, 53, finished in 48:51.
All told 1,617 people completed the 5K.
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