Excitement Build As Runners Pick Up Their Race Packets

DULUTH, Minn. — With the races kicking off today, thousands of runners were picking up their race packets.

In addition, was an expo where runners could gear up before the races.

Hundreds of volunteers were helping racers get set for the weekend.

“It becomes sort of like a city holiday for the weekend and..” said Hallie Keiper, Volunteer, “I’ve been doing this since I was little kid with my family, and it’s just one of my favorite days of the year, because Duluth gets so exciting and everyone’s just full of energy and excitement and yeah, it’s a really good time.”

One runner picking up his packet, has been running the Grandmas since the beginning.

Jim Nowak, has run all 49 Grandmas Marathons since the very first.

“And all of a sudden, a friend called up and said, ‘there’s a marathon they’re gonna start up in Two Harbors and run to Duluth.’ And so, I jumped in with another 160 runners at the time.” said Jim Nowak, Runner in Grandma’s Marathon.

In a friendly competition with his friend John Naslund, the pair are the only to run every Grandma’s Marathon.

He plans to continue the tradition by running the 50th annual next year at 75 years old.