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(Duluth, Minn.) Grandma’s Marathon today announced an increase to the cash prize purse for the upcoming Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. Race officials have doubled the total purse from 2007 and will now distribute a total of $14,000 to the top runners at the event’s 18th annual running on June 21.
The champions of the men’s and women’s open divisions will each receive $1,500, a $500 increase from last year when the event featured cash awards for the first time.
“The addition of a cash purse in 2007 helped us attract a quality field of elite runners and we expect this increase will bring in an even stronger group of half marathoners this year,” says Scott Keenan, executive director of Grandma’s Marathon.
The 2007 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon men’s winner, Chad Johnson (1:05:18), placed 20th in November’s U.S. Olympic Men’s Marathon Trials in New York, while the defending women’s half marathon champion, Paige Higgins (1:14:46), has qualified to compete in the U.S. Olympic Women’s Trials in Boston on April 20.
Registration for the 2008 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon is being conducted through an online lottery format. Those interested in participating can register for the lottery through Sunday, March 2 at www.grandmasmarathon.com. On Monday, March 3, 4,500 lottery participants will be randomly selected and notified via e-mail.
18th Annual Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Cash Awards – June 21, 2008
Open Divisions (Male & Female)
1st - $1,500
2nd - $1,000
3rd - $800
4th - $700
5th - $600
6th - $500
7th - $250
8th - $150
40 & Over Divisions (Male & Female)
1st - $700
2nd - $500
3rd - $300
Total Purse - $14,000
Grandma’s Marathon Registration Update
Only 900 spots remain for the 32nd annual Grandma’s Marathon. A total of 8,600 marathoners have signed up for the 26.2-mile event which, like the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon, will be held Saturday, June 21.
For more information, visit www.grandmasmarathon.com or call (218) 727-0947.
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