In More Minnesota Gold: Speedskaters, Wrestlers, Runners, Ski Jumpers, Hockey Players, Swimmers

Please excuse this departure from highlighting Minnesota athletes and their lives and achievements to an invitation to meet some of your fellow athletes and coaches. Yes, after three years of research, interviews, writing (and more writing) and editing (and more and more editing!), More Minnesota Gold is printed and available! Please see the invitation with

MINNESOTA ATHLETES AT THE US OLYMPIC MARATHON TRIALS

Minnesota has a rich heritage in long-distance running with many state athletes competing on the world stage. People sometimes forget that qualifying for an Olympics Trials is a tremendous achievement that involves running thousands–probably tens of thousands in many cases–of miles, overcoming injuries, perseverance, and time management and balancing life for years. University of Minnesota

HISTORY AND RESULTS OF GRANDMA’S MARATHON

The running scene of Minnesota shines at Grandma’s Marathon events in Duluth. Debuting in 1978 with 150 participants, the marathon was first sponsored by Duluth-based Grandma’s Restaurant. The setting, hospitality, and Minnesota running community helped it explode in popularity. Distance running icons Garry Bjorklund (Proctor), Barney Klecker, and Dick Beardsley (Excelsior) won 5 of the