The Vibes We Bring: Chaotic, Funny, and Real.
The reality of being a gritty young runner means starting marathon week by helping my friends pack up a Uhaul, move them across town, and unload said Uhaul on Saturday. It also means hosting a Sunday Pride Run followed by a Drag Brunch at Dovetail Cafe & Marketplace. It also means bringing beads to our Wednesday night run club and collectively decorating our race shoes, because when in doubt we’ll have a little whimsy.
Reality is driving up the North Shore on Thursday morning to pick up a shelving unit in the Agate Museum parking lot in Beaver Bay, because I just moved and have a mostly empty apartment. And then using that drive up the shore to stop at Dreamcloud to meet up with a friend that drove from Colorado to run the marathon. The reality is that 2 hour coffee hang being the only time I hang out with him the whole weekend. It also means thinking I can fit a couch into the back of an Outback and drive it down the hill with only twine holding the hatch shut, followed by having two strangers help move that couch into my second floor apartment. And then it’s suddenly evening and I am off to a shake out run with the Hoops Run Club, because we support the local run clubs outside of our own.
Friday morning hits and guess what? I’m off to another shake out run. This time I am at Back Alley for the shake out with Mill City and there’s so many people. Too many people. I’m a little overwhelmed but then my friends show up and we are overwhelmed together. After the run we grab some coffee, some donuts, and then we are off again! Everyone came over to my messy apartment to check out the new furniture while discussing our race day playlists. Soon enough I am kicking them out because I have to go to a tabling event for work that I volunteered for a month ago. A month ago it was a great idea, the day off not so much. I spent 3 hours on my feet, just the thing to do the day before a race! Luckily, my coworker showed up early for the second shift and I got to head out to the next thing.
The Expo is nuts on a Friday afternoon, but I am a speed walker on a mission. I fly through bib pick up and hunt down some much needed gels for race day. Took some moments of respite at the Tortoise and Hare Footwear booth, because they’re friends and don’t mind me sitting with them for a bit. And then I ran into a friend from the cities and got caught up chatting and suddenly I’m late to the Grambassador group photo. So I run, because that’s what I do.
Compared to the chaos of the past week, race day felt relaxing in a sense. I know how to run. I’ve done this course before. So I lean in, I vibe, I let myself go with whatever flow there is. Until I hit mile 24 and hear the voice of my friend who is supposed to be in Arizona. Do not trust your body at mile 24. Hearing her voice was so shocking, the best surprise, so I lost what little control I had left. And yes, I peed myself a little. I have no idea what happened between that moment and the finish line, only that I did cross the line and immediately started texting the group chat.
Grandma’s Marathon 2026 was a highlight of friendship and my own chaos. I loved every minute, every moment, and I can’t wait to do it all again.
Ryn Rose
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Favorite Grandma’s Marathon Memory: I just moved to Duluth in May of 2024 and immediately engrossed myself in running and community. All of that came together for my 2025 Grandma’s Marathon. I kept seeing friends and community members along the entire course, both as supporters and fellow runners. Being known in your space truly fills the heart and I’m so happy it happened at Grandma’s. And maybe the 19 minute PR helped a little!
Favorite Pre-Race Meal: Peanut butter, banana, and chia seeds all wrapped up in a flour tortilla. I call it my breakfast burrito!
Reason you absolutely won’t run outside: Heavy smoke is really the only thing that can deter me, otherwise nothing will stop me if I want to get a run in. You will find me running at night in the dead of winter in -20 degree temps.
Advice to Other Runners: Forward is a Pace.
2026 Running Goal: Continue creating and growing inclusive and welcoming spaces for all types of runners and complete my first