Two-Time Grandma’s Marathon Winner Becomes First Minnesotan To Qualify For Paris Olympics

Minnesota will be represented in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games!

In the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials held over the weekend, St. Francis, Minnesota native qualified to join Team U.S.A. for this summer's Olympics.

Lindwurm placed third in the Olympic Trials, which were held on Saturday in Orlando, Florida. Her third-place finish and time of 2:25:21 will send her along with two other American women to Paris for this summer's competition.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz celebrated the news about Dakotah with a message on X.

Taking first place was Fiona O'Keeffe, who broke the women's U.S. Olympic marathon trials record with her performance on Saturday with her time of 2:22:10, and Emily Sisson took second place to join the team with a time of 2:22:42.

O'Keeffe grew up in California while Sisson was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but competed in high school in Nebraska and Missouri before coming back to Wisconsin to attend the University of Wisconsin before transferring to Providence College.

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Lindwurm, meanwhile, started her high school athletics career playing goalie for the St. Francis-North Branch hockey team before pivoting to running.

For those who follow Grandma's Marathon, you'll recognize Dakotah's name as one that has popped up on leaderboards over the last few years.

Grandma's Appearances

Lindwurm came in 4th place during the 2019 Grandma's Marathon. With 2020 canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she returned in 2021 to claim her first Grandma's Marathon victory and become the first Minnesota woman to win Grandma’s Marathon since Janis Klecker did so in 1987.

Dakotah won again in 2022, nearly setting a new course record and becoming the 12th fastest U.S. women’s marathoner of all time. In 2023, she came in second place at Grandma's, coming in about a minute behind Lauren Hagans.

2024 Paris Olympic Games

You'll be able to cheer Dakotah and the rest of the athletes of Team U.S.A. competing for gold during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. They will be held  Friday, July 26 through Sunday, Aug 11.