A name famous on the Grandma’s Marathon stage is Garry Bjorklund, elite runner and namesake of the 35-year-old Duluth Half Marathon. Bjorklund, now living in Colorado, returned to cheer on this year’s 35th racing of the Half Marathon, bringing back years of memories.

“Scott (Keenan) asked if he could name it after me. I wasn’t real, real thrilled about the idea. But he promised that if he could use my name on the half marathon that they would give contributions to kids running shoes and support kids running in this area. Which has been very, very successful,” said Bjorklund.

An advocate for youth racing, Bjorklund is proud of the way organizations like ‘The Young Athletes Foundation’ has promoted the sport for the next generation.

“Running is a great sport. And you don’t have to be the person who wins the race to win. I think that this area has done a really good job in terms of promoting the youth running and having fun and giving people opportunity to have a good experience and even come back again and again,” said Bjorklund.

Bjorklund took time on Thursday to speak with local kids about running and staying active, before working The Young Athletes Foundation booth at the Essentia Health Fitness Expo in the evening.

The Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon begins Saturday at 5:50AM, click here to learn more.