Returning Champion: Elisha Barno wins 5th Grandma’s Marathon

By WDIO

Elisha Barno of Kenya is the champion of the 2023 Grandma’s Marathon with an unofficial time of 2:09:14. This is a personal best for the 38-year-old. He was already the winningest men’s runner in Grandma’s Marathon history and now has a fifth title under his belt.

Barno wanted to thank Grandma’s Marathon for inviting him to race this year. “I am very happy for winning today and running my PR,” he said.

“Grandma’s is nice weather and we are running through the forest,” Barno says.

Elisha Barno is the 2023 Grandma’s Marathon Men’s Champion. (WDIO)

Running is about training,” when you get older, the problem is about injuries. When you train well and you don’t get injuries, you can run good here.”

RELATED STORY: New Women’s Champion, first marathon for Lauren Hagans

Barno won four straight titles from 2015-2018. This is his seventh appearance in Grandma’s Marathon.

Elisha Barno of Kenya is the champion of the 2023 Grandma's Marathon with an unofficial time of 2:09:14 (WDIO)

Barno will also be honored at this year’s race by being inducted into the Grandma’s Marathon Hall of Fame as part of a three-person Class of 2023.

  • 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.