And just like that, another Grandma’s race weekend has come and gone. It’s very hard to recap a race weekend as special as Grandma’s in one blog post, but I am going to do my best! I’d highly recommend going back and listening to podcasts, reaching out to ambassadors, and taking full advantage of all the free resources that are available outside of the race weekend as all the staff and volunteers put a tremendous amount of work in pre, during and post-race. Being an ambassador, this year made me realize even more how hard everyone works to make this weekend successful every year.
Now, getting back to the weekend of June 22nd!
When I think about Grandma’s weekend 2024, one word comes to mind and that word is community. From the minute I got up to Duluth, to the second I departed, it was very apparent how strong of a community shows up in June every year.
From the runner perspective, you first walk through the doors of the expo and the energy is so contagious. Thousands of runners, all with some type of goal. Whether that is a BQ, a beer ticket, getting to the finish line, or achieving a certain length for the first time; everyone is searching for a new accomplishment. Everyone there has spent months bettering themselves every day in some way to show up and get a chance to work towards putting a cap on the race season. That is so powerful, and you feel it when you hit the expo, through the spaghetti dinner, at the start line, and then at the finish line/after party. The best part is, whether or not everyone hits their “specific goal,” everyone continues to celebrate afterwards because they showed up every single day for weeks prior to the race and became better versions of themselves.
From the volunteer, staff, support standpoint, you’ll have a tough time finding a more supportive community than the one that is up in Duluth over that special June weekend. This year was a clear example of that considering there were risks of storms and that it rained on everyone out on the course. However, because of how strong the community is, there were still hundreds of people out on the course. All day. Supporting all the runners. Without that supportive community, there would be no race.
Runners from around the globe mixed with the wonderful crew that puts on and makes the race happen is extremely special. I’m humbled that I was able to be in Duluth for Grandma’s race weekend this year and plan to be there every year that I can from here on out. Communities like that are one in a million and I hope everyone gets to experience it at some point in their lives.
Thank you so much, Duluth & Grandma’s Marathon.
I will see you next year!
Jacob Oak
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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