Garry Bjorklund is a Minnesota hometown hero, collegiate All-American, Olympian, Grandma’s Marathon champion, and the namesake of the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. But before his name was printed on thousands of race shirts, Garry was a kid from Twig, Minnesota, running gravel roads, racing his mom to the mailbox, and learning that running was about much more than winning.

In this episode, host Sally Hed Dahlquist sits down with Garry ahead of the 50th anniversary of Grandma’s Marathon to talk about his roots, his running career, the people who shaped him, and the lasting spirit of the race that still brings him back to Duluth. From a serious foot injury that threatened his future, to the heartbreak of the 1980 Olympic boycott, to the joy of seeing everyday runners cross the finish line, Garry’s story is full of humility, perspective, and deep love for the running community. 

In this episode, you’ll hear:

•  How Garry first fell in love with running on the roads and trails of Twig, Minnesota 
•  Why he says “the race begins at halfway” 
•  The coaches, teammates, neighbors, and friends who shaped his life 
•  How Garry went from not knowing what a college scholarship was to running for the University of Minnesota 
•  The impact of legendary coach Roy Griak and teammate Eugene Daly 
•  What Garry learned from competitors like Steve Prefontaine and runners of every level 
•  Why he sees running as a family, not a lonely individual sport 
•  How Grandma’s Marathon became part of Garry’s life and legacy 
•  Why the finish line matters just as much for everyday runners as it does for elites 
•  The funny story of the runner who insisted Garry Bjorklund was not Garry Bjorklund 
•  Garry’s love story with Rhonda, the courage it took to call her, and the “karma” of his Olympic bib number 

Whether you’re chasing a personal record, running your first half marathon, cheering from the sidelines, or simply trying to keep moving forward in your own life, Garry’s story is a reminder that running is never just about speed. It’s about friendship, humility, kindness, courage, and the people who help us become who we are.

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