Annie Frisbie is a two-time Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Champion
Annie Frisbie of Hopkins, Minnesota has added a repeat title to her name, crossing the finish line of the 2025 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon on Saturday with an unofficial time of 1:09:05.
Frisbie says she put more pressure on herself to come back and defend her title.
“With the humid conditions, the pace felt about ten times harder than it did last year, and we went out just as fast,” she said. “I definitely faded in the second half.” Frisbie says her friend and teammate, Dakotah Lindwurm Popehn passed her at mile six or seven. “I was able to fight my way back and pass her in the last mile,” she added. ” I was shocked honestly, like that was just a battle mentally and physically.”
Frisbie said she is really proud of this win.
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“I told myself, don’t give up. I actually heard my coach say that at some point,” she said. “So I kept telling myself, don’t give up. The race isn’t over.”
Annie says when Dakotah passed her, Dakotah said “Let’s give this city a show.” And the two friends did just that. Dakotah is a two time champion of Grandma’s Marathon. She finished the 2025 Half Marathon with an unofficial time of 1:09:13.
“I never gave up, and yeah, it was literally in the last half mile that I was able to pass her (Popehn), but yeah, I feel like we’re both just, you never know whose day it’s going to be, and we both just push each other so much,” said Frisbie at the post-race press conference.
In 2024, her debut Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon, Frisbie set a new course record with a time of 1:07:34. . The Wisconsin native crossed the finish line with an unofficial time of 1:07:32.
The previous course record for the Half Marathon of 1:09:26, was set by Maggie Montoya. It was Montoya’s debut Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon as well. She was 20 seconds faster than Duluth native Kara Goucher who had held the record since 2012.
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Mackenzie Myran, 12, won the William A. Irvin 5K. She posed with Dakotah Popehn after the race. Videographer Glenn Kellahan and Sports Reporter Spencer Pierce laugh it up at the finish line. A scenic view behind the runners. Spectators and runners Spectators and runners Our crew – Alicia Tipcke, Kara Goucher and Carrie Tollefson provide all the commentary on this year’s Grandma’s Marathon. Runner. Dakotah Popehn heads to the finish. A strong finish. Runners and spectators head to the finish line, as a ship come in. Very Focused. Running in the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. Runners with a scenic view on Canal Park Drive. Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon finishers taking a much needed break. Our crew – Alicia Tipcke, Kara Goucher and Carrie Tollefson provide all the commentary on this year’s Grandma’s Marathon. Dakotah Popehn out on the course, behind the DECC. Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon runners at the finish line. Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon runners at the finish line. Cheering on friends. From a Gallaxy Far Far Away… Brave Like Gabe rivals, Shannon Savoia and Steve Moe stopped for a photo op with Spencer Pierce. And Grandma stopped to say hello too.