DULUTH — A fundraiser is underway for two-time Grandma’s Marathon champion and former race record holder Dick Beardsley, who has been battling a staph infection in his knee since 2023.
The fundraiser is being conducted by Beardsley’s friend, Mike Dunlap, through GoFundMe, having raised over $29,000 since it started in late January. Dunlap co-hosts a podcast, “On the Run with Beards and Dun,” with Beardsley.
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According to the fundraiser set up for Beardsley, the 1981 and 1982 Grandma’s Marathon champion and native Minnesotan has undergone more than 10 surgeries since being diagnosed with a Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in his knee, including a knee replacement in 2024.
Beardsley — who set a Grandma’s Marathon record of 2 hours, 9 minutes, 37 seconds in 1981 that stood for 33 years — is self-employed as a motivational speaker. He is still a major part of Grandma’s Marathon weekend working as a race analyst for broadcast and co-hosting a live talk show during race weekend with Carrie Tollefson.
Beardsley, 68, is also a fishing guide — something he’s less known for, but has been doing longer than running — in the Bemidji area, where he and his wife, Jill, own and operate Lake Bemidji Bed and Breakfast.
Registration open for three YAF races
Registration for a trio of 2025 Young Athletes Foundation (YAF) races is underway. YAF is the charitable arm of Grandma’s Marathon, supporting youth athletics in Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin.
“Just by participating, people in our community are helping to support the mission of the YAF,” said Zach Schneider, the marketing and public relations director of Grandma’s Marathon. “Last year alone, these events raised more than $35,000 that we can then use to keep providing opportunities and assistance to kids in our region.”
The Saint Fennessy 4K — the first race scheduled, on March 15 in Hermantown — costs $30 for adults through Feb. 29 before the price goes up $5. Youth (18 and under) are $10.
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The Fitger’s 5K on April 12 in Duluth costs $35 through Feb. 15 before rising $5. Cost is $45 after March 31, while youth remains at $15 through raceday.
The Park Point 5-Miler and 2-Mile Walk on July 17 in Duluth is $25 through May 15 with $5 price increases scheduled for May 16 and July 1. Youth are $10.
Entry into all three races — known as the KP Challenge — is open to the first 250 entrants for $85, or $35 for youth.
To register, visit yaf.grandmasmarathon.com.
How to still sneak into a Grandma’s Marathon race
Miss out on signing up for the sold-out Grandma’s Marathon or Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon? Registration remains open for a Duluth-based training group being offered by Grandma’s Marathon. The first 150 to sign up gain entry into either the full or half marathon.
Cost to join the training group is $189, not including race entry fees. It is led by USA Track and Field/Road Runners Club of America certified coach Tony Stensland and includes training runs three times a week. The first session began Jan. 21, but runners can still join up until March 1. A monthly guest speaker is also planned.
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While the training group is based in Duluth, those outside the area can take part virtually. Visit grandmasmarathon.com/the-marathon/training/ to sign up and register.
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