Get college credit for running Grandma’s Marathon? Lake Superior College has been offering this unusual class for twelve years where students train for and run Grandma’s Marathon or the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. The two-credit course provides race training and nutritional information in addition to history, etiquette and basic skills.

This spring thirty students have been working with native Duluthian and elite champion runner Katie McGee . She is a three-time Olympic Trials Marathon qualifier, and an accomplished coach. “I feel very connected to the Duluth running community and Grandma’s Marathon,” said McGee. “As a mother of three and a full-time teacher, I understand the desire to compete at the highest level possible while managing life, family, and work.”

One of her students is Karlie Kulas, a high school senior and accomplished athlete from Esko, Minnesota. “I have been a runner all my life so I was excited to see that there was a class that would motivate me to continue running,” said Kulas. “It’s so flexible, I can do my own training on my own time and pace. I’m more prepared for my race from the knowledge I’ve gained throughout the course! I would definitely recommend this class to anyone who would be interested.”