Bob Maki and his family have been part of the running community for many years. Bob has run 71 marathons, three marathons every year since 1987. But this weekend, this Grandma’s Marathon will be the most special one of all.

When we visited Bob and Candice in their West Duluth home, they showed us lot of pictures. Bob didn’t start running marathons until he was over 40 years old. He ran in nearlly all the Grandma’s marathons, ran the Twin Cities marathons, Chicago marathons and others. In the marathon Bob ran in Las Vegas, he pushed his then little grandson Campbell in a stroller for part of the race. This year though, it’s Campbell that will be pushing Grampa.

“My grandpa’s always been a marathon runner,” Campbell told us. “And I remember back when I was a kid, he would always say, like, one day we’re gonna do Grandmas together, but then he got parkinson’s and he wasn’t able to do the marathons anymore.”

Using a specially designed wheelchair, Campbell, now 18 years old, will be doing Grandma’s marathon with grampa Bob.

“So this is just our way of being able to kind of fulfill that promise,” Campbell said with a smile.

Fulfilling a promise they made to each other years ago.

“I’m excited, a little bit nervous, but mostly excited,” Campbell said. “I think it’s gonna be a pretty fun experience.”

Grandma Candice, however is dealing with it as any grandma would. “I’m a little more worried about my grandson than about Bob,” she said laughing.

Candice has been at Bob’s side through all of life’s ups and downs. The memories of many of Bob’s marathons are captured in a cherished quilt that proudly drapes their living room couch.

“He never was fast, but he finished every marathon he started,” Candice said. “And he asked our grandson Campbell, who’s 18, if he would consider pushing him in a special wheelchair for Grandma’s marathon this year. And Campbell agreed. And this is gonna be marathon number 72 for Bobby and marathon number one for Campbell.”

Number one, but perhaps the start of another generation of family marathoners.

“Yeah, it’s pretty important just because, like I said, he’s always been such like a marathon runner and like he’s pushed me into Las Vegas marathon,” Campbell said. “So it’s just nice to be able to have this experience with him.”

And Candice is grateful the Campbell is willing to take this on.

“I mean, it’s an enormous thing,” she said. “And we don’t care if they finish, you know, just so that Bobby gets the experience. And we’re really, really proud of Campbell for doing this and appreciative to him.”