Duluth area native Garry Bjorklund is a 1976 Olympian and a 1977 and 1980 champion of "Grandma's Marathon". He has been instrumental in the development of running throughout Minnesota. In 1991, the "Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon" was created to recognize his contributions to long distance running. If you are not up for running the 26.2-mile "Grandma's Marathon" – held the same day – then the "Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon" is the race for you; it is half the distance, and just as fun! This popular race is one of the country's largest half marathons and is run on the second half of the beautiful "Grandma's Marathon" course, finishing at the same finish line in Duluth's Canal Park.