7 Minute Miles

2009 Grandma’s Marathon


My fifth Grandma’s Marathon turned into quite a scorcher towards the end. I found out later that the medical director actually came close to calling off the race, but I didn’t think it was that bad.

I had stayed overnight Friday in Grand Marais and got dropped off in Two Harbors early Saturday morning. The temperature when I left Grand Marais was 45, but by the time we got to the start, it was 67 and humid. The sun stayed out for most of the morning and there was very little breeze. I think the bank sign said 84 when I reached downtown.

Personally, my race went OK and I felt fine the whole day. I tried to stay with the four hour pacer, but she slowly faded into the horizon around the 11 mile mark. My final result was a 4:21, which I was perfectly fine with, given the conditions.

Here are the top three finishers in the main race:

2009 Grandma’s Marathon – Men

  • 1, Christopher Raabe, 30, Washington, DC, 2:15:13 (5:10 pace)
  • 2, Charles Kanyao, 33, Nairobi, Kenya, 2:18:36 (5:18)
  • 3, David Tuwei, 30, Coon Rapids, MN, 2:19:49 (5:20)

2009 Grandma’s Marathon – Women

  • 1, Mary Akor, 32, Lomita, CA, 2:36:52 (5:59)
  • 2, Alina Ivanova, 40, Albufeira, Portugal, 2:36:58 (6:00)
  • 3, Robyn Friedman, 36, Lambs Grove, IA, 2:38:03 (6:02)

Registration for the 2010 marathon, which will be held Saturday, June 19, 2010, is already open. Get $10 off the regular $85 fee if you sign up before September 7.

Originally published by DK on July 20, 2009 at 5:03 pm in Longform, Marathons, Running


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