Eric Strand
Grandma’s Marathon 2024 Double: Bad Grandmas
Eric Strand has been running what he calls the “Grandma’s Marathon Double” since 2012. The concept is simple: start at the marathon finish line, run to the starting line, then turn around and run the regular marathon. Strand’s crew in 2024 included Dusty Olson, who Strand refers to as “the OG Grandma’s Marathon Doubler.”
Grandma’s Marathon 2023 Double: One More Time
Once again, Eric Strand and his crew run from the Grandma’s Marathon finish line to the start, then turn around and run the official marathon. They call it the “12th annual” though it’s technically the 11th, since the first was in 2012 and the run didn’t happen in 2020.
Grandma’s Marathon 2022 Double: I Wanna Be Sedated
One year ago Eric Strand completed his ninth Grandma’s Marathon Double — starting at the finish line, running to the starting line, then running the official marathon. The 2022 video was finally released just before the 2023 marathon. Strand uses the 52.4-mile Grandma’s Marathon Double as a training run for the Leadville 100 Trail Run.
Strand has been running the Grandma’s Marathon since 2000 and has done the “double” since 2012, except for the pandemic year of 2020.
Grandma’s Marathon 2021 Double: Ninth or Tenth Annual?
Eric Strand’s tradition of running a Grandma’s Marathon Double — starting at the finish line, running to the starting line, then running the official marathon — continued in 2021. The annual video package didn’t make it to YouTube until today — 11 days before the next Grandma’s Marathon — but hey, editing video is its own marathon, right?
Joining Strand on the 52.4-mile trek, which began at 2:30 a.m., are Andy, Andrew, John, Lance and another guy named Eric. All were impressed with the awe-inspiring sunrise over the porta potties at the half-marathon starting line.
Grandma’s Marathon 2019 Double: 52.4-mile Bachelor Party
“Marathons are hard. Double marathons are harder.”
A perennial favorite on Perfect Duluth Day is Eric Strand’s annual video of his jaunt from the finish line to the starting line and back to the finish line of Grandma’s Marathon. Yes, that’s right, he runs the course twice. Every year. The 2019 installment is the eighth-annual Grandma’s Marathon Double, and includes, among others, an about-to-be-married dude named Zach embarking on the 52.4-mile run.
Grandma’s Marathon 2018 Double: Gorilla’s in the Mist
Eric Stand — joined by Zach Strand and Andy Lohn — run the seventh annual Grandma’s Marathon Double. It’s a 52.4-mile trot along the shores of Lake Superior, starting at 2:30 a.m. at the finish line and running to the start, then back.
Grandma’s Marathon 2017 Double: The Thundering Herd
Once again, Eric Strand embarked on the 52.4-mile journey from the finish line to the starting line and back to the finish line of Grandma’s Marathon. The annual video is usually released in June, but hey, it’s not a race, it’s a marathon … an ultra-marathon. (more…)
Grandma’s Marathon 2016 Double: A Movement
[This post originally contained an embedded video that is no longer available at its source.]
Eric Strand cranks out the Grandma’s Double for the fifth consecutive year. Amazing feat and another fun video.
Grandma’s Marathon 2014 Double: Only One Dumb Enough
After seeing the post last summer about Eric Strand running the Grandma’s “Double” (3 a.m. from the finish line to the start, then runs the race) I’ve been waiting for Eric’s 2014 installment. Here it is, another excellent video showing a great inside look at the people of the race: the runners, the volunteers and the spectators. Good job, Duluth!
Grandma’s Marathon 2013 Double: Embrace the Suck
Eric Strand embarks on his second annual 52.4-mile journey from the finish line to the starting line to the finish line of Grandma’s Marathon.