Grandma’s Marathon Legends Hosting 2nd Pre-Race Talk Show

For the second year in a row, Grandma's Marathon pre-race festivities will include a 'live talk show featuring running legends.  This is a great way to get inspired and entertained just before race day.

The Grandma's Marathon Pre-Race Talk Show will be hosted by running legend Dick Beardsley and Olympian Carrie Tollefson. Their talk show guests will include Jordan Hasay and Jeff Galloway.

The show, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 21, in the Edmund Fitzgerald Hall at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.  There will also be prize giveaways and a dedicated Q&A time with Dick and Carrie.

Here's a closer look at the legends you'll get to interact with:

• Dick Beardsley is known as one of the best marathon runners in U.S. history. Winner of Grandma’s Marathon in 1981 and 1982, Dick held the course record with a time of 2:09:37 for 33 years. His most famous race, however, took place at the 1982 Boston Marathon where he crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 8 minutes, 53 seconds, just two seconds behind Alberto Salazar to place second.
• Carrie Tollefson is recognized as one of the best runners to come out of Minnesota.  Carrie joined Team USA Minnesota in 2001 and since then has been a three-time national champion (1500 meters, 3000 meters and 4k cross country). She represented the USA in the Olympic Games after winning the 1500 meters at the Olympic Trials in 2004. She was also a member of three U.S. World teams.
• Jordan Hasay is one of the top distance runners among U.S. women. In 2017, Hasay finished third at the Boston Marathon (2:23:00) to beat the record for fastest marathon debut by an American woman — previously held by Duluth native Kara Goucher (2:25:53).  The 27-year-old will run the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon on Saturday, June 22. Her half marathon personal record is 1:07:55.
• Jeff Galloway focuses on training plans that have opened up the life-changing experience of finishing a distance event to almost everyone. His methods are proven to reduce aches, pains and injuries. Galloway designed the Run Walk Run Method to help beginners start running as it incorporates strategic walk breaks that allow each runner to control fatigue and eliminate significant running injuries.