Lightspeed Lift helps runners hit marathon winning pace in Speed Challenge

Lightspeed Lift and Grandma’s Marathon teamed up for a "speed challenge" in Canal Park on Saturday afternoon.

It offered anyone who’s wondered what it takes to win a marathon an opportunity to race at the pace of 2021 Grandma’s Marathon champion, Dakota Lindwurm.

The lift was set to Lindwurm’s winning pace of about 5:42 per mile, and approximately 10.5 miles per hour. Its body weight support system allows users to feel lighter, and run faster, than when using a regular treadmill.

"What we were really hoping to do was to connect the people to the Olympic games in Tokyo, and to instill wonder and awe in just how fast a marathon champion runs," explained Bud Trnka, director of sales and marketing for Lightspeed Lift.

Trnka added they may try and bring back the challenge ahead of Grandma’s Marathon in 2022.