Gearing Up for Grandma's
Hear inspiring stories leading up to Grandma's Marathon, a 26.2-mile road race along the scenic shores of Lake Superior and finishing in Duluth, Minn. Started in 1977 with only 150 runners, Grandma's Marathon is now the 12th largest marathon in the United States and brings approximately 20,000 participants to northern Minnesota each June. Our podcast is brought to you with the support of Essentia Health. Grandma's Marathon is proudly presented by Toyota, Members Cooperative Credit Union, and ASICS.
- Update frequency
- every 16 days
- Average duration
- 29 minutes
- Episodes
- 67
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2025
Season 1, Episode 7 --- Doug Nelson
Doug Nelson is a longtime volunteer of Grandma's Marathon and has been part of the event's communications team for more than 35 years now.
Doug and his team are responsible for many things on race wee…
Season 1, Episode 6 --- Michael Pinocci
Longtime race announcers Peter Graves and Michael Pinocci recount their favorite memories of Grandma's Marathon weekend, as seen from their perch above the finish line in Duluth's Canal Park.
Pinocci …
Season 1, Episode 5 --- Kellyn Taylor
It was a unique set of circumstances that brought Kellyn Taylor to Grandma's Marathon in June 2018, and she arrived in Duluth with something to prove.
After having to withdraw before the halfway mark …
Season 1, Episode 4 --- Nell Rojas
Nell Rojas was the 2019 Grandma's Marathon champion, running a time of 2:28:06 in just her second-ever marathon. That time qualified her for the 2020 US Olympic Trials, where she finished ninth.
Now, …
Season 1, Episode 3 --- Wendy (Hovland) Cregg
Wendy (Hovland) Cregg was the first-ever women's champion at Grandma's Marathon, winning the 1977 race with a time of 3:23:39.
Only 18 years old at the time, Grandma's was the first and only marathon…
Season 1, Episode 2 --- Kevin Pates
Longtime Duluth News Tribune reporter Kevin Pates relives his 37 years covering Grandma's Marathon, remembering fondly his time working alongside some of the best running talent to visit the shores o…
Season 1, Episode 1 --- Dick Beardsley
Longtime Grandma's Marathon record-holder Dick Beardsley joins the podcast to talk about a variety of topics, all stemming from his love of running.
Beardsley touches on his inauspicious start in the …