We’re excited to announce our 2024 Grandma’s Marathon Ambassadors! They come from all over the country and represent so many of the different runners that make our race weekend and Grandma’s Marathon family special. Follow along on their training and their trip to the finish line in June 2024.
Registration for Grandma’s Marathon Weekend Events opens on October 1 2023 at 7 PM CT. You can register online here.
For more details about all the events that make up Grandma’s Marathon Weekend click below:
Grandma’s Marathon– Saturday, June 22, 2024
Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon– Saturday, June 22, 2024
William A Irvin 5K– Friday, June 21, 2024
Carrie Alajoki
Follow Her on: Instagram, Tiktok
Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory: I have so many amazing Grandma’s memories but my most recent favorite memory was walking/jogging the half marathon in 2023 with my cousin who had never run more than a few miles. Seeing her excitement for the course is exactly why I love this race. She wasn’t concerned about pace, time, or the “usual” running things – she was there to have fun and enjoy every moment. As soon as she was finished and we were walking through Canal Park she started talking about next year! It was a great chance for me to step back from my own training and just enjoy the course, the spectators, and watch someone else fall in love the Grandma’s!
A quote that guides, inspires, or embodies your training, racing, or life: I always tell my kids to “make smart choices”. This training season I want to live by that advice by being a smart runner. I need to be sure to make smart choices and hydrate, stretch, and foam roll.
Songs that must be on your running playlist: Finish Line by Skillet, A Warrior’s Call by Volbeat, most Shinedown songs, and lately – This is Me and From Now On from the Greatest Showman
Running Superstition: My best friend has to run on my left side. We don’t function the other way around.
2024 Running Goal: My best half marathon ever was the year the race was canceled because of COVID. I have struggled the past few years and my 2024 goal is to get back to feeling strong and confident. A PR would be great but I don’t want to carry that pressure. My main goal is to leave it all out on the course!
Angie Andresen
Follow Her on: Instagram, Twitter
Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory: My Grandma’s Marathon memories go back to cheering on my Dad in the marathon in 1978. Since then, Grandma’s is a family holiday – where all of us are either running some of the weekend’s races and/or volunteering, and spectating. One of my favorite memories is last year (2022) when 14 of our family members participated in Grandma’s races – from the Whipper Snapper races to the 5k and Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon – and then we all cheered on marathoners!
Quote that guides, inspires, or embodies your training, racing, or life: “Without ice cream, there would be darkness and chaos.” – Don Kardong, world-class runner
Favorite post-race beverage: After Grandma’s, it’s a shake from Portland Malt Shoppe
Running superstition: I won’t wear a finisher shirt until I’ve actually finished the race.
2024 running goal: Stay strong, healthy and run all year
Rachel Barger
Follow Her on: Instagram, Tiktok
Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory: Just one?! How do I decide? I guess I will have to say, Grandma’s 2014. I had run the William A. Irvin 5K twice in high school, but Grandma’s Marathon 2014 was my first time on the Grandma’s course. After watching old VHS tapes of my dad and uncles running Grandma’s in the 80s and 90s and spectating Grandma’s for YEARS as my family ran, it was surreal being out there among all the runners. Making it even more special, this race was after my freshman year of college, was only 1.5 years after severely breaking my ankle and having multiple surgeries on it, and was my first ever marathon. It was absolutely incredible, and I guess you’d have to say the rest is history as I have now been back on Grandma’s course 9 times since then!
Quote that guides, inspires, or embodies your training, racing, or life: Whether you are first, last, or anywhere in the middle; if you cross both the starting line and the finish line, the distance is the same. That finish is something to celebrate and be proud of, no matter what.
A song that must be on your running playlist: “For Those About to Rock” AC/DC
Running superstition: Whatever race I run, I run on the far left side of the course the entire way (I started this at Grandma’s Marathon, so I could be closest to Lake Superior, and it stuck!)
Three words to describe your training, racing, or life: Persistent, resilient, joyful
Ally Colton
Follow Her on: Instragram, Tiktok
Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory: PR’ing my half marathon was a huge highlight, but cheering my best friend across the finish line of his first full was by far the best part of the weekend (I’m also a sucker for any opportunity to ring a cow-bell and cheer at a race).
A quote that guides, inspires, or embodies your training, racing, or life: Hills don’t care about your feelings (@immrsspacecadet, Erin Azar), also an accurate description of my training.
Song that must be on your running playlist: Big Bootie Mix Vol. 13 by Two Friends; the Hamilton Soundtrack; anything Pitbull
Reason you absolutely won’t run outside: hail or dangerous ice. They don’t cancel the marathon when it rains 🤷🏼♀️
Favorite post-race beverage: DUNKIES (medium iced coffee with blueberry and hazelnut, oat milk & sugar, basically a blueberry muffin)
2024 running goal: Right now it’s a sub-5 marathon, but if I hit that in NYC, I’ll be brainstorming a new goal.
Ashley Daniels
Follow Her on: Instagram, Tiktok
Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory: Being selected as a Grambassador last year! I got to connect to so many racers and community members while also sharing my experiences as a disabled runner. It’s been the experience of a lifetime and I’m so excited to be selected for the 2024 Grambassador team!
Favorite post-race beverage: It depends on the weather! If the weather is really hot, I love lime sparkling water. If the weather is really cold, hot chocolate, chicken broth, or hot tea.
2024 running goal: I’m looking to turn around a tough 2023 racing season. After struggling with stress vomiting, struggling with my eating disorder relapsing, struggling with job loss, and the lingering fear of losing my home throughout all of 2023, I just want to run without pressure and do my best!
Three words to describe your training, racing, or life: grit, determination, and compassion. Running requires getting gritty. Staying strong when the run gets tough. And that ties into determination because you can’t have grit without determination to finish what you start. To keep showing up every single day even when it’s hard. And lastly, I run with compassion for myself. There are days that I can’t run due to my non-epileptic seizures. I have to have compassion for myself and be patient with myself. I may have to train differently than my allistic (non-autistic) peers, but that doesn’t mean I’m less of a runner than them. That compassion keeps me grounded and humble.
Shannon Hogan
Follow Her on: Instagram, Facebook
Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory: This will be my seventh Grandma’s marathon and I’ve loved every race. Up until this past Grandma’s I would have said crossing the finish line for the first time. But now it is involving my daughter and making the entire weekend a celebrated family affair…from visiting the expo to participating in the Whipper Snapper races, volunteering at the 5k, and seeing her cheering out on the course. We both love it!
A Quote that guides, inspires, or embodies your training, racing, or life: “What good is livin’ the life you’ve been given if all you do is stand in one place.” Lord Huron
A Song that must be on your running playlist: Holocene by Bon Iver
Favorite pre-race meal: Oatmeal with almond butter and chocolate chips
2024 Running Goal: PR my marathon (a BQ would be an incredibly lofty goal) and finishing the Superior 100 for the second time.
Shawn Jarvis
Follow Him on: Instagram, Facebook
Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory: Running the Great Grandma’s Challenge in 2021 with my husband. This was our first Grandma’s weekend participating together. There was so much joy in starting both the 5k and the half marathon together.
Quote that guides, inspires, or embodies your training, racing, or life: “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great. ” – Zig Ziglar
Reason you absolutely won’t run outside: ICE! That’s why I have moved to Phoenix, I will run in 110 degrees rather than deal with Ice.
Favorite post-race beverage: Chocolate Milk
2024 Running Goal: Make it through the training season with no injuries!
Noah Jordan
Follow Him on: Instagram, Facebook
Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory: My favorite Grandma’s memory is when I ran the Great Grandma’s Challenge in 2019. It was only my second year in Minnesota, and I was new to the Minnesota running scene. I was incredibly nervous as we drove into Duluth, but the energy at the expo really hyped me up. That year I managed to PR both my 5K and my half marathon with the support of my friends and family nearby.
Quote that guides, inspires, or embodies your training, racing, or life: Forward is pace, never forget that, and don’t ever give up.
A song that must be on your running playlist: Surprisingly, I prefer silence or a podcast while running. I love to dance, so when a good song comes on I tend to speed up and slow down accordingly. The steady cadence of talking during a podcast keeps me on pace.
The reason you absolutely won’t run outside: I’m originally from Arizona, so the winter is definitely not my friend. While some Minnesotans can run in the cold, I struggle. But I would rather run outside in the cold vs training on a treadmill.
Favorite pre-race meal: Pasta carbonara the night before.
Favorite post-race beverage: Anything pasta again, but I loved the year there were pork chops at the expo and at the finish line. More pork chops, please!
2024 running goal: To push myself out of my comfort zone more often, try new races, and don’t be afraid to make new friends on the course if I find myself running next to someone.
Three words to describe your training, racing, or life: high-energy, unconventional, and fun!
Hannah Koch
Follow Her on: Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, Facebook
Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory: One of my favorite and more recent Grandma’s Marathon memories was last year’s training cycle and race day. I spent 11 months training for my first full marathon and had the time of my life doing it. I met the most supportive and amazing people in the running community along the way and race day ended up being one of the best days of my life.
I will always remember rounding the last corner to the finish line, running with my best friend, and seeing my fellow Grambassadors cheering me on. I saw my Mom on the sidelines cheering me on as she watched me, supporting the goal I was obsessed with for the past 11 months.
But what really made this moment extremely special was being able to Facetime my Dad the last 0.2 miles. He has Parkinson’s Disease and wasn’t able to get down to the finish line very easily. Being able to share this moment with him meant everything to me.
Quote that guides, inspires, or embodies your training, racing, or life: “Relentlessly moving forward”, “Do it because you can”.
Reason you absolutely won’t run outside: Pure ice on any given route. I don’t mind a few icy patches here and there, but if I can’t get proper strides for longer bouts of my run, I will opt for the treadmill or track!
Favorite pre-race meal: 3 soft boiled eggs with ramen!
2024 running goal: I want to push myself more with my training this year and get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Last year, I wanted to run a marathon. Now that I’ve reached that goal, I’d like to challenge myself to incorporate different training runs into my routine.
Three words to describe your training, racing, or life: Discipline. Perseverance. Joy.
Tanya Koneczny
Follow Her on: Instagram
Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory: My first ever Grandma’s event in 2015, the Garry Bjorklund half, when it rained the entire time. I got to see my family cheer me on along the course, even in the rain, and I ended up with a half-marathon PR.
Quote that guides, inspires, or embodies your training, racing, or life: Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right.
A Song that must be on your running playlist: Unstoppable by Sia
Favorite post-race beverage: Coffee cooler from Caribou Coffee
Reason you absolutely won’t run outside: Zombies or lightning.
Tony Loyd
Follow Him on: Facebook, Instagram, Strava, Threads, Linkedin, Youtube
Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory:In 2022, I was scheduled to run Grandma’s Marathon. Unfortunately, I suffered a stress fracture in my left ankle in May, so I was out of the race. I decided to come to Duluth anyway. How could I miss Grandma Marathon weekend? There’s nothing else like it in the world.
I could take full advantage of the weekend because I was not stressed about resting for race day. I took my time and explored the expo. I had a chance to meet some of my running heroes. FOX25 interviewed me. I had a blast.
On race day, I saw the race as a spectator. I had a chance to see what others see, a never-ending parade of inspiring individuals, from elite athletes to the back of the pack. The looks on their faces told a story of months of sacrifice that led to this one day, Grandma’s Marathon. It was inspiring!
Quote that guides, inspires, or embodies your training, racing, or life: My race, my pace. It doesn’t matter what pace everyone else is running. This is my race, and I run it at my pace. This applies to Grandma’s Marathon and to life.
Song that must be on your running playlist: If I said murder mystery podcasts, would you be horrified?
Reason you absolutely won’t run outside: If there is a health and safety issue, I head inside. Lightning, poor air quality, temperatures that instantly freeze your skin – things like that.
2024 running goal: If my training goes well, I hope to run a 3:26 marathon. That will automatically qualify me for the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Championships.
Three words to describe your training, racing, or life: Run and have fun. OK, that’s four words. What can I say? I’m a rebel.
Angie Maske-Berka
Follow Her on: Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Tiktok
Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory: Pacing my friend to complete her second-ever half marathon in 2023, the look in her eyes when I told her there was watermelon ahead. The spectator support of the race is excellent.
A quote that guides, inspires, or embodies your training, racing, or life: Forward is a pace. No matter what you are doing, if you just keep moving forward you are accomplishing something.
The reason you absolutely won’t run outside: Well since I do not have a treadmill and a run streak, I will run outside every day, unless there is lightning, ice, and new to the lineup poor air quality. Thankfully my gym has an indoor track.
Favorite pre-race meal: Pasta with no sauce, all the noodles!!!!
Favorite post-race beverage: cold beer, bonus if it is a craft selection from the area.
Jacob Oak
Follow Him on: Facebook, Instagram
Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory: 2023 Garry Bjorklund Half! I had a rough spring training season and was able to still go up and hit over a 10-minute PR while also pacing one of my good friends to a PR! In addition to that, I was able to see numerous clients obtain PRs that day which is always amazing 🙂
Quote that guides, inspires, or embodies your training, racing, or life: “Start with your Roots”
A song that must be on your running playlist: It’s Not Living If It’s Not With You | The 1975
The reason you absolutely won’t run outside: I will run in the heat, high humidity, sub 0 temps, winds, etc. You will pretty much never see me running in the pouring rain…. If I can help it… Not tryna get sick!
2024 running goal: Sub 3 Hours in the Marathon!
Three words to describe your training, racing, or life: Why, Community, Journey
Carrie Rodman
Follow Her on: Instagram, Tiktok
Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory: I ran Grandma’s Marathon in 2008 as my 3rd marathon (I recently completed my 16th marathon, Big Sur, in April 2023). I was fortunate to run Grandma’s with my Dad and we finished in 5:34:19. It was a memorable adventure running this race together and experiencing the beauty of the Grandma’s course, spectator support, and the giant party that is Canal Park afterward! I had planned to run in 2023 however I have been recovering from a stress fracture in my heel. I had a blast cheering on my fellow GRAMbassadors and all of the runners during the race, so I’ll call that my favorite non-running Grandma’s memory!
Quote that guides, inspires, or embodies your training, racing, or life: “Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.” – Dean Karnazes
Song that must be on your running playlist:Kelly Clarkson “People Like Us”
Reason you absolutely won’t run outside: COLD rain in the Fall or Spring. Warm rain in Summer is delightful!
Favorite pre-race meal: Chicken ravioli or Pad Thai
Favorite post-race beverage: Chocolate milk immediately post-race followed by a dry white wine at night!
2024 running goal: Start and FINISH my 2024 races uninjured/healthy!
Riley Saunders
Follow Him on: Instagram, Facebook
Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory:At mile 8 of Grandma’s Marathon 2023 the balloon that holds up the mile marker popped right in front of me. When I finished the race another runner came up to me and said sarcastically “How did you pop that balloon at mile 8?
Quote that guides, inspires, or embodies your training, racing, or life: “No Excuses.” I have it tattooed on my wrist so whenever I want to quit or am not feeling motivated I remind myself to stop making excuses. They will only prevent me from becoming better.
Favorite pre-race meal: Any kind of pasta. Whatever has the most carbs.
Running Superstition: I need to start a race with my two good luck charms. They are my Garmin watch and Oakley sunglasses. When I started running longer distances and competing in marathons I always had those two items. They have become my spiritual charms that have experienced every race with me and mentally helped me finish every race I start.
Francisca Schmierer
Follow Her on: Instragram
Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory: My favorite memory about Grandma’s Marathon was when I ran the course last year for the first time. I labeled my racing shirt “Deaf” on my back for the first time. In result, some runners approached me on the course and signed ASL, American Sign Language to me. It has brought me so much joy and I got to communicate with them while running!
A song that must be on your running playlist: As I am a deaf runner, I do not have the capability to hear music like the others! My “music” is the views of outdoor nature.
Reason you absolutely won’t run outside: Lighting. Don’t know where the sound is coming from!
2024 running goal: Make it into the Boston Marathon. I have been training for quite some time and hired a coach who was a former marathon olympian. In result, I am very close at qualifying for Boston.
Three words to describe your training, racing, or life: Earn Your Spot.
Brent Silkey
Follow Him on: Instagram, Tiktok, Twitter
Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory: Lemon Drop Hill 2010 – first marathon, first challenge facing a hill of that measure, caused me to dig deep and helped me become a better runner
Quote that guides, inspires, or embodies your training, racing, or life: “Remember why, remember for whom, it’s not about you.” -When I’m running for a cause like 30 for Freedom – to rescue people out of human trafficking.
A song that must be on your running playlist: “Love Runs Out” OneRepublic – the song playing when I became an Ironman
Reason you absolutely won’t run outside: Hail is the one weather-related reason I wouldn’t run outside!
Running superstition: when the pain starts, smile more!
2024 running goal: to run a 50k every month of 2024 to rescue people from the nightmare of human trafficking and raise $12,000 for 30forFreedom.org in the process.
Three words to describe your training, racing, or life: outside-the-box!
Elena Stanley
Follow Her on: Instagram
Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory: Running towards the finish line at the end of my first marathon in 2023! I could see the end, I heard people cheering. My legs were tired but I started to pick up some speed. Suddenly, I heard the announcers call my name! It gave me the energy to push towards the end! Then I saw some friends who came out to support me. As I ran to give them high fives, it started a chain reaction of strangers and spectators giving high fives right up until I crossed that line and finished the longest distance I’d ever run! It was a uniquely Grandma’s experience!
A song that must be on your running playlist: Man! I feel like a woman! – Shania Twain
The reason you absolutely won’t run outside: Below 10 degrees Fahrenheit
Favorite pre-race meal: Anything with peanut butter!
2024 running goal: Embrace the routine to run stronger and happier! Enjoy the process!
Sarah Stuhr
Follow Them on: Instagram
Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory: Cheering last year! One of my friends ran her first half since having her son and I got to see her 4-5 times throughout the course. It was my first time cheering Grandma’s and it was so sweet to be on the other side of things pumping runners up!
Quote that guides, inspires, or embodies your training, racing, or life: Back in the day, I was a coach for Girls on the Run and I asked one of my kiddos what to write on my arm for my race – she said “Running is awesome, duh” and that has stuck with me all these years after. I love to keep it simple – why do I do this? Oh yeah, running is awesome – DUH!
Favorite pre-race meal: I love getting the Spicy Chicken Teriyaki from Hanabi the night before Grandma’s! Otherwise a similar dish of chicken, rice, and veggies – I’ll eat half the night before and then eat the other half really early race morning (like 3-3:30 am) with a red bull, then take an hour nap before getting up and getting ready for the race. (And I know some of you will read that and think it is a ridiculous routine but don’t rule it out! My fueled runs are my best ones!) I also ALWAYS hyper-hydrate (this is a real thing, not just drinking a lot) with Nuun the night before and morning of.
Running superstition: NOTHING NEW ON RACE DAY. Seriously, NOTHING!
2024 running goal: Continue to center joy in my own running and building community with others through movement.
Three words to describe your training, racing, or life: Let it flow!
Jamie Vesel
Follow Him on: Facebook, Instagram
Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory: In 2008 I ran the the Gary Bjorklund Half Marathon for the first time. I was just beginning my journey as a runner and had no idea what I was doing or what I was getting into. I had run my first 5K the year before and had a lot of fun doing it. At that point, I thought, “Maybe I can actually do this.” The pure excitement of learning that I can be a runner was amazing! During the race, I made so many mistakes that I would later learn how to correct. Nutrition, training, pacing, etc. I still work on each of these but have learned how to plan ahead.
A quote that guides, inspires, or embodies your training, racing, or life: “Love life. Engage in it. Give it all you’ve got. Love it with a passion because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it.” – Maya Angelou
A song that must be on your running playlist: Proud by Heather Small. I also have at least one or two songs by Tina Turner and Madonna
The reason you absolutely won’t run outside: if its -10 or more or above 90 degrees.
2024 running goal: This year I’m going to enjoy the entire experience more. Of course I’d like to PR, but I want to enjoy the race. Also, I’d like to get more of my friends to run with me.
Three words to describe your training, racing, or life: endure, celebrate, repeat
Michelle Ziebarth
Follow Her on: Instagram, Facebook
Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory: Every year crossing the finish line to the huge crowd is so awesome. My brother ran his first half this year and watching him cross the finish line was so awesome. Also if you are running the full TAKE THE TRAIN.
Quote that guides, inspires, or embodies your training, racing, or life: I can do hard things! When I told someone I was training for my first marathon they said “Did you know running a marathon is like really hard”. I repeat that to myself while I am running for motivation and to make myself laugh.
Favorite pre-race meal: Breakfast: bagel and egg, fruit, and yogurt. The Night before: All the spaghetti
Favorite post-race beverage: Water and then Something from Bent Paddle Brewing
Running superstition: Everything must be laid out the night before. I also always have at least one pickle for a snack the night before a race.