48. The Man Behind Grandma’s Marathon with Scott Keenan

Host Sally Hed Dahlquist sits down with Scott Keenan ahead of the 50th anniversary of Grandma’s Marathon in 2026. Scott founded Grandma’s Marathon in 1977 with a tiny budget, a $3 entry fee, no permit, and one very big vision: to build a world-class marathon with small-town charm on the beautiful North Shore of Lake Superior. Scott shares how a small running club race in Duluth, Minnesota grew into one of the most beloved marathons in the country, now bringing thousands of runners to the region and creating a major economic impact for northern Minnesota.  From convincing Olympian Gary Bjorklund to run his first marathon in Duluth, to building international competition, to naming the race after a local saloon, Scott’s story is full of grit, vision, humor, and relentless belief in what this race could become. In this episode, you’ll hear: • How Scott founded Grandma’s Marathon at just 23 years old  • Why the first race had a $3 entry fee, a micro-budget, and no official permit  • How Gary Bjorklund helped put Grandma’s Marathon on the map  • Why the race became known for world-class competition and small-town hospitality  • How Grandma’s added the Gary Bjorklund Half Marathon to help runners choose the right distance  • The wild logistics of a point-to-point marathon, from buses to trains to gear transport  • The story behind the name “Grandma’s Marathon”  • Why Duluth, Lake Superior, and the running community made this race something truly special  Whether you’ve run Grandma’s, dream of running it someday, or simply love hearing how one person’s vision can grow into a legacy, Scott’s story is a reminder that big things often start small, with a wild idea, a few determined people, and the courage to begin before everything is perfectly ready. Learn more about Scott’s story in his book:  My Journey to Grandma’s Marathon by Scott Keenan Inspired?  Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who loves running, Duluth, or a good underdog origin story. Support Sally’s mission to raise $1 million for medical research:  unstoppablestoriesthatmove.com