As you walk in the doors of the Grandma’s Marathon Expo, there’s a palpable positive energy — a buzz of excitement and eager anticipation. I can’t help but feel emotional as I take it all in, my eyes darting around because everyone looks vaguely familiar. Is that someone I’ve seen running around the Twin Cities lakes? Do I know that person from high school? Wait…Is that Dakotah Lindwurm??? More than anything, there’s this shared camaraderie among a group of runners (and supporters of runners) who are ready to put their training to the test in a matter of hours.
After the Expo, we headed over to Bayfront Park for the Whipper Snapper Races. While we didn’t have any little ones competing this year, we did have Whipper Snapper participants … in the mascot race! It was truly a proud mom moment when my adult kids volunteered as mascots. Roary the Lions Club mascot and Comet, the Bentleyville reindeer are better known (to me) as Maggie and Max, respectively.
I’ve learned that a light, early dinner works best for me so we headed to our reservations at Va Bene, and then it was back to race activities and the William Irvin 5k, where eight of the extended Andresen family members were running. We cheered them all — one running her very first race, three achieving PBs and all of them having a great time!
Then, it was time to finalize my playlist, lay out my “Flat Angie” and get to bed early for a 3:30 a.m. alarm. After my go-to breakfast of peanut butter and banana on an English muffin, we headed to UMD and boarded the buses for the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. It took a while for the drop off, so once we got off the bus, I said good luck to my sister and husband and weaved my way through the starting area to get to my corral and the 1:55 pacer. I was able to hit my paces for the most part and achieve my goal of 1:55 — my best time!
After the race, I met up with my husband, Randy and fellow Grambassador, Jamie, as well as my former cross-country coach (and Grandma’s volunteer), Coach Skogg. Then, we walked up the Lakewalk to Superior Street, where we cheered on marathoners. We take our cheering almost as seriously as our own race training!
Then it was food, naps, a post-race party with friends and family. And finally, we closed out the night at Bayfront Park with Pop Rocks. My brother, niece and I met up with my kids just as the rain cleared out.
So much packed into two days… and I absolutely loved it. Grandma’s 2025 is already in the calendar. Can’t wait!
Angie Andresen
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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