Montoya sets new Half record, Reichow wins the Men’s division

By WDIO

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We have the winners in the 2023 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon.  Congratulations to Joel Reichow and Maggie Montoya. Maggie Montoya set a new course record of 1:09:26, besting Kara Goucher’s record of 1:09:46 set in 2012. This is Montoya’s debut race in Duluth.

Montoya met up with WDIO’s Dillon Morello after crossing the line, and said she had no idea that she was running at a record pace.

“I was just trying to keep my teammate Carlos in site,” Montoya said. “I have had a bad string of Half’s and I’m happy to have something good go here.”

She said she has wanted to come to Duluth for years and the course was beautiful.

“Beautiful venue along the water, it was so peaceful driving out to the start line, seeing the water,” she said.

Maggie Montoya sets new course record for Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. (WDIO)

Reichow crossed the finish line with an unofficial time of 1:02:30. He is 29 years old.

Joel Reichow is the 2023 Men’s Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Champion. (WDIO)

“I tried to get it out a little bit quick, and started with a little bit of a gap and then people kinda caught up to me,” Reichow said. He said he turned the pace down a bit in the last three miles as the pack spaced out some.

This is Reichow’s first win. The Minnesota native says this was a goal of his. “It was amazing just hearing everyone cheer my name,” he says. “I’m super excited about it.”

Named after the first Grandma’s Marathon champion, the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon has now become one of the largest half marathons in the country, welcoming approximately 10,000 participants each year to the shores of Lake Superior. 

The first Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon took place in 1991.

  • Gmas Brandon
    WDIO's Brandon Weatherz speed-walks through Lemon Drop Hill.
  • IMG_5064
    Congratulations! Signage to pump up every runner.
  • Gmas Lake View at Lemon Drop Hill
    You've heard it mentioned, this is the view from the notorious Lemon Drop Hill.
  • Gmas at the finish
    Grandma at the finish of Grandma's Marathon.
  • Gmas runners at the start
    Getting started in Two Harbors.
  • Gmas Going Bananas
    Going Bananas on the sidelines.
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    A smile as they near the finish.
  • Gmas Bagpipes
    Bagpipes entertain the participants.
  • Gmas Lead runners Barno and Ondoro
    Lead runners in the Men's Division.
  • Racer AW
    Wheeler
  • runner AW
    Excited for the finish.
  • Carrage AW
    Two crossing the finish line.
  • Gmas lady AW
    All smiles at the finish.
  • GMAS wheelchair
    Lead wheelchair races at Lemon Drop Hill.
  • Gmas Lead Car broadcast set up- Chad Salmela
    Broadcast car set up.
  • Gmas health banner low risk
    Health and weather conditions where at a low risk on Saturday.
  • Gmas volunteers get ready at the start
    Volunteers put the finishing touches on the start – very early in the morning.
  • Gmas biffies Necessities
    Necessities. Need we say more?
  • Gmas Alicia and Kara
    Our hosts, Alicia Tipcke and Kara Goucher near the finish in Canal Park.
  • Gmas Runners of the Half happy at the finish
    Happy at the finish of the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon.
  • Gmas Half Marathon athletes in the shoot
    Crossing together, The finish of the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon.