DULUTH – Reputations gained in stature Saturday in the 48th Grandma's Marathon on a cool, windy, wet morning along the North Shore. Elisha Barno, a Kenyan who is the most successful runner in race history, earned a record sixth victory, while first-time entrant and two-time Olympian Volha Mazuronak of Belarus set the women's course record. Minnesota's oldest 26.
2-mile race braced for possible heavy rain, but survived with light rain, mid-50-degree temperatures and a 12 mph east headwind-sidewind. Decent racing weather led to impressive performances as a record field of 9,993 headed from south of Two Harbors to Canal Park Drive. Barno, 39, broke away from two runners over the closing miles for a second straight victory in 2 hours, 10 minutes, 54 seconds.
A year ago, he set a personal best of 2:09:14 after winning four straight times, 2015-18. "I am surprised and very proud to win again. I'll never forget this in my life," said Barno, married and the father of three daughters.
"This is my favorite race. When I come here, I think I'm going to do well. I think I'm going to win.
" He's the second-oldest men's winner in race history. No other men's entrant has more than two victories. He won $12,000, including $2,000 for going under 2:11.
Jerrell Mock, 29, from Fort Collins, Colo., hadn't raced seriously since the 2022 Boston Marathon and didn't go with a pack that broke to the front Saturday. He bided his time and moved to second place with about three miles to go.
"I ran conserv.