Press Release - Grandma's Marathon - 5/26/09

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

             Grandma's Marathon Registration Closes Monday
              Sign Up Online at www.GrandmasMarathon.com
 
(Duluth, Minn.) Time is running out for runners to sign up for next month's 
33rd annual Grandma's Marathon. Less than a week remains until registration 
for the nation's 13th largest marathon closes June 1.

The 26.2-mile race from Two Harbors to Duluth is Saturday, June 20 and has 
more than 8,200 marathoners registered. Capacity for the 2009 event is 
9,500 participants. The online entry form and registration information are 
available at www.GrandmasMarathon.com.

Last year's champions, Lamech Mokono and Mary Akor, are both expected to 
return to defend their titles from a year ago. Akor, the women's division 
winner in 2007 and 2008, will be looking to become just the second runner 
in Grandma's Marathon history to win the race three times.

Registration is closed for the two other races held during Grandma's 
Marathon weekend — the 19th annual Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon and the 
16th annual William A. Irvin 5K. The Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon is 
Saturday, June 20 at 6:30 a.m. and the William A. Irvin 5K is Friday, June 
19 at 6 p.m. 

In all, more than 16,000 runners and 50,000 race fans from around the world 
will participate in the 33rd annual Grandma's Marathon weekend, which is 
presented by Target, Toyota and Wells Fargo Bank Duluth. Grandma's Marathon 
weekend kicks off with the SMDC Health System Health and Fitness Expo 
Thursday, June 18 from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. at the Duluth Entertainment 
Convention Center (DECC). 

For more information on any of Grandma's Marathon's races or events, visit 
www.GrandmasMarathon.com or call (218) 727-0947.

                            ###