An early-bird registration offer for the 2010 Grandma's Marathon netted 1,122 entries for a seven-week period, which ended Monday, said race officials.
Runners were given a $10 reduction on the $85 entry fee along with reduced prices for hotels and attractions in the area. The marketing strategy was initiated to give a boost to a race that had sold out for 14 straight years before falling about 1,200 entries shy of the race limit of 9,500 in 2009.
"We had a downturn and we want to recover that as soon as possible," executive race director Scott Keenan said Tuesday. "My expectations were that if we got 500 entries [during the early-bird period], this promotion would be a success. It's a huge success that we have more than 1,100.
"We're going to do everything we can to recruit runners, and we're optimistic we'll be back at full strength next year."
A handful of factors led to fewer entries, said Keenan, including hotel prices, spring marathon competition, America's recession and a trend of warm Grandma's Marathon races. The early-bird registration will be repeated next month, for two weeks, to coincide with the Oct. 4 Twin Cities Marathon. Registration, at the full price, begins Jan. 14 for the 2010 Grandma's Marathon on June 19.
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The registration process for two companion races remains the same. The sign-up for the Garry Bjorklund Half-Marathon lottery is Feb. 17 through March 1. The William A. Irvin five-kilometer run, June 18, opens registration March 17.
In two major Midwest marathons this fall, the Twin Cities Marathon sold out its field of 11,000 in 60 days, while the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 11 sold out its field of 45,000 in 82 days.
Houck wins Victory 10K
Jen Houck of Duluth won Monday's Minnesota Distance Running Association Victory 10-kilometer women's division in Minneapolis. Houck, 25, was first in a personal-best 35 minutes, 41 seconds. Amy Lyons, 24, of Mounds View, Minn., was second in 36:31.
Josh Moen, 27, of Eden Prairie, Minn., was first overall in a field of 527 in 29:30. Justin Grunewald, 23, of Merrifield, Minn., was second in 30:38, and Eric Hartmark, 31, of Duluth was third in 31:25.
Janet Rosen of Cloquet set a Minnesota single age-group record for 55-year-old women, finishing in 41:12, breaking Gloria Jansen's 2002 mark of 41:57.
Grandma's Minnesota Mile, Burrito 10 Hours
The third Grandma's Minnesota Mile is Sunday along Superior Street. There are six mile races grouped by projected finish times, starting at 9:20 a.m.
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Registration, at Fitger's Inn at 600 E. Superior St., is noon to 6 p.m. Saturday for $15 and 7-8:30 a.m. Sunday for $20.
For more information call (218) 727-0947.
The Burrito Union 5- and 10-Hour Triathlon is Saturday at Pattison State Park in Superior.
The event is a 600-meter swim, 14-mile road bike and
3.1-mile trail run, repeated during the time limit. Races begin at 7:30 a.m. Registration is taken through today at www.active.com .
