Press Release - Grandma's Marathon - 3/11/03

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            Contact: Scott Keenan
                                                 executive director

                                                 Laura Wright
                                                 public relations director
                                                 (218) 727-0947

      13TH ANNUAL GARRY BJORKLUND HALF MARATHON IS NOW CLOSED

Duluth, Minn.: Registration for the 13th annual Garry Bjorklund Half 
Marathon is now closed, and entry forms are no longer being taken. Over 
4,500 runners are registered to participate in the June 21st event, which 
begins at 6:45 a.m. just north of the Lakeview Castle on Old Scenic Highway 
61. 

Participants in the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon are selected through a 
lottery system consisting of three random drawings. The last fifteen 
hundred applications were drawn yesterday (March 10). 

Confirmation cards will be sent to all registered participants within four 
to six weeks. The best way to verify the acceptance of an entry is to see 
if the check written for the entry fee cleared the bank. Checks for entries 
that were not selected in the lottery will be returned to the applicant.

During the multiple-event weekend, more than 15,000 athletes are expected 
to compete in Grandma's Marathon, the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon and the 
William A. Irvin 5K. In addition, Grandma's Marathon is pleased to host the 
2003 USA Women’s Half Marathon Championship at 6:15 a.m. on June 21st.

Registration for the William A. Irvin 5K will begin at the end of March. 
Those interested in receiving an application for the 3.1-mile race are 
encouraged to send a self-addressed, stamped, #10 business sized envelope 
with a letter of request to: Grandma's Marathon, P.O. Box 16234, Duluth, MN 
55816. A total of 1,200 entries will be accepted on a first come, first 
serve basis for this race. 

For more information on Grandma's Marathon weekend visit the web site 
www.grandmasmarathon.com or call (218) 727-0947.



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