Tony Stensland is a certified coach with USA Track & Field (USTAF) and holds a Level 3 Certification from the Lydiard Foundation.

Stensland has seen great success with both groups and individuals, helping hundreds achieve personal running goals ranging from first-time marathoners to Boston Marathon qualifiers.

A Duluth area resident, Stensland has been coaching runners since 2009 and has long been involved with Grandma’s Marathon while holding a deep passion for helping his runners become the best versions of themselves.

PRICING TIERS
September 1-October 1 – $125
October 2-December 31 – $150
January 1-March 1 – $175

Price does not include the event entry fee. Training group participants will receive instructions on how to register separately for their event of choice — Grandma’s Marathon or Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon.

TIMELINE
Registration Opens – September 1
Preseason Meeting (optional) – October 15, 5:30 p.m. @ GM Office
Preseason Meeting (optional) – January 7, 5:30 p.m. @ GM Office
1st Day of Training Group – January 19
FREE Group Run (open to public) – February 6, 8:00 a.m. @ TBD
FREE Group Run (open to public) – February 27, 8:00 a.m. @ TBD
Last Day to Sign Up – March 1
Race Day – June 19

TRAINING GROUP FORMAT
Group runs, event-specific training plan, and individual support and resources from a USATF-certified coach. Participants will have the option to select beginner, intermediate, or advanced training levels for either the half or full marathon.

GROUP RUN DETAILS
There will be a total of 65 group runs in the Duluth-Superior area over 22 weeks, beginning in January — Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays at 8:00 a.m. (7:00 a.m. beginning in April).

PERKS & OTHER BENEFITS
All training group participants will receive the following perks and benefits during the training cycle ahead of race day:

• Guaranteed entry into Grandma’s Marathon or Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon (if sold out)
• Monthly guest speaker series, focusing on different topics in training cycle
• Storm Creek, branded full-zip jacket (pictured)

Email will be the primary form of communication.

Every Sunday, group participants will receive an email from your coach with details about the coming week’s workouts. Participants may always reach out to their coach directly with questions about the training program.

Participants will also be invited to join a Facebook group to connect and interact with other members of the training group.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE’S BAD WEATHER?
If it’s necessary to cancel a group run due to inclement weather, participants will be notified as soon as possible via email.

WHERE WILL MOST GROUP RUNS BE HELD?
All group runs will be held in the Duluth-Superior area, but the most often used locations will be the Rose Garden, Canal Park, and Lester Park in Duluth.

CAN YOU PARTICIPATE IN THE TRAINING GROUP IF YOU’RE NOT RUNNING A GRANDMA’S MARATHON WEEKEND EVENT?
Yes. The signup for your marathon weekend event is separate, so everyone is invited to participate in the training group if desired.

WHAT IS THE REFUND AND/OR TRANSFER POLICY?
Training program fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable.