By Andre Anderson 

Writer/Reporter 

Grandma’s Marathon marked its 50^th running this June, and the milestone carried the weight of a race that has grown far beyond its modest beginnings. What started in 1977 with 116 finishers and a $3 entry fee has become one of the most recognizable distance events in the country.  

Duluth now hosts the 10^th largest marathon in the United States, and this year’s turnout showed why the race continues to matter. The marathon brought in 7,582 timed finishers, and more than 18,000 runners participated across the full marathon, the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon, and the William A. Irvin 5K. For two days the lakefront felt like the center of the running world as athletes, families, and volunteers filled the streets from Two Harbors to Canal Park. 

The competition at the front of the pack matched the scale of the celebration. Amanuel Mesel, a two-time Olympian from Eritrea, pulled away late to win the men’s race in 2:11:21, holding off six-time champion Elisha Barno in one of the most compelling duels the course has seen in recent years. On the women’s side, Dakotah Popehn delivered another defining performance, winning in 2:28:51 and earning her third Grandma’s title. Her victory ties the all-time record for women’s wins and adds another chapter to a race that has long attracted both rising American talent and international elites. 

The weekend also carried a sense of history that stretched beyond the podium. John Naslund completed his 50^th consecutive Grandma’s Marathon, becoming the only person to finish every edition since the race began. His arrival in Canal Park drew a response that felt as significant as the winners breaking the tape. Organizers also honored Dorothy Spencer, now 93, who helped build the race in its earliest years and whose steady presence has shaped its identity for decades. Their stories reminded everyone that Grandma’s Marathon has always been as much about community as competition.