The 2025 Grandma’s Marathon weekend was peak runner FUN!
I initially went into the 2025 Grandma’s Marathon, which would be my 20th marathon, with the goal of a PR. Very quickly into training, I realized that life had other plans for me. So, going into race weekend, I knew my goal was to have a PR IN FUN! I gave ALL the high 5s, hugged my friends, did all the *new* things on race day I normally would never do (like taking food and salt tabs from people on the course), talked to strangers (when I wasn’t trying to just survive) and enjoyed the ride!
Race weekend is about community for me and, as always, it was so much fun! I shared a room with 3 girlfriends, had some alone time, and enjoyed my 5+ hour solo run along beautiful Lake Superior. What more could I ask for?!
I hit up the expo and ran into friends (as always). I enjoyed the spaghetti dinner (for lunch). I had way too many carbs and didn’t want dinner. I ran a marathon (which is no minor feat). I got pizza from Vitta Pizza on my walk back to the hotel post-marathon. I celebrated 26.2 with a drink at Vikre with friends. And I wandered Canal Park Sunday after the race when it was nearly a ghost town. And I had THE best time! Grandma’s isn’t just about the race for me- it’s about community. Friendship. Support. Lifting each other up. And celebrating the culmination of the hundreds of miles that went into this last 26.2 mile celebration.
I absolutely love staying in canal park right by the finish- we’re close to the DECC for packet pickup and the expo, and less than 5 minutes from bus pick up. Sure, it’s pricey, but between 4 of us, it became reasonable. And so worth it! I already booked out hotel for next year and have an even larger room and more friends joining!
This marathon was a beast, both physically and mentally. 2 years ago, I was in a boot due to injury and was cheering at mile 26. A year ago, I ran a post-3 kids PR as my comeback/17th marathon. This year, I was thrilled to be put on this gorgeous course again and to have fun with the challenge that is the marathon.
I can’t wait to come back next year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Grandma’s Marathon AND RUN MY PR!
Carrie Rodman
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Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory: All 3 of these are interconnected, as the Grandma’s Weekend Experience does not exist in a vacuum!
My first Grandma’s Marathon experience was in 2008, when I was fortunate to run this gorgeous race with my Dad as my 3rd marathon. We crossed the finish line together in 5:34:19.
In June of 2023, I was part of your injured GRAMbassador Cheer Squad at Mile 26 due to a stress fracture in my heel! While I didn’t get to run, I did get to participate in race weekend, cheer on all the runners as they headed into the final stretch, and had a blast!
In June of 2024, I ran Grandma’s as my 17th marathon and my comeback race following a 1 year hiatus due to said stress fracture. I was beyond thrilled to run a 4:39:12 (a post-3 kids PR)! Seeing my friends cheering their hearts out for me at Mile 26- almost exactly where I was cheering for them a year prior while in a boot- was the best! The entire weekend was unforgettable, from the expo and travel with a friend from California, to the girls’ weekend, post-race Vitta Pizza and bar hopping, it was the unforgettable!
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:Adelita’s Way- “Own It (Rock Remix)”
Reason you absolutely won’t run outside:COLD rain in the Fall or Spring. I’m a summer-loving runner- bring on the sunshine and heat! Warm rain in Summer is fine but I hate being cold (meaning 2024 Grandma’s was a challenge).
Favorite pre-race meal:Chicken or cheese ravioli or Pad Thai
Favorite post-race beverage: Chocolate milk immediately post-race followed by a dry white wine at night (or afternoon)!
2025 running goal: This year I’m aiming big: To PR Grandma’s 2025- which is slated to be my 20th MARATHON
Three words to describe your training, racing, or life: Determined. Consistent. Strong (Although I think “chaotic yet flexible” may work too!)