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By Zach Schneider
By Dakotah Lindwurm will be at the starting line during this year’s Grandma’s Marathon weekend in June, just not as part of the race that’s helped make her a fan favorite in Duluth and one of the best female distance runners in America.
Instead of the full marathon, the Minnesota native will be part of the field in this year’s Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon as part of her ongoing preparations for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
“I’m so excited to wear ‘USA’ across my chest,” Lindwurm said. “I’ve been an underdog my whole career, so I’m excited to stick my nose where it doesn’t belong amongst the best in the world and hopefully, I can surprise some people again.”
Lindwurm qualified for Paris at the US Olympic Trials in February, finishing third and becoming only the third former Grandma’s Marathon women’s champion to qualify for the Olympic Games. The others were Lorraine Moller (won Grandma’s in 1979, 1980, 1981) and Janis Klecker (won Grandma’s in 1987).
One of only eight women to be a multiple-time champion of Grandma’s Marathon, Lindwurm has become a wonderful ambassador for the sport and this race in particular.
“There’s nothing to dislike about Grandma’s Marathon,” Lindwurm said. “From the start you get up the north shore to the serene middle miles to the loud finish, it’s all just laid out perfectly. And what truly makes this race different from all the others is after you finish, everyone’s here to celebrate you. I’ll always have Grandma’s Marathon circled on my calendar because it’s one of my favorite weekends of the year.”
In addition to competing in the half marathon on Saturday, Lindwurm will make several public appearances during the 2024 Grandma’s Marathon weekend.
