Students to run Grandma's Marathon for college credit

Talk about a tough final - you have to run Grandma's Marathon to earn college credit for the course.

Lake Superior College is offering new online courses that enable students to earn two physical education credits by training for and running in Grandma's Marathon, or one credit by training for and running the Garry Bjorklund Half-Marathon.

For several years, the college has offered an online version of its Associate of Arts degree, but until this semester, students pursuing the degree had to substitute health courses for the physical education requirement. The college also has announced that Dick Beardsley, Grandma's Marathon record holder, will teach the courses.

The spring semester classes are virtual training courses that cover nutritional and conditioning information related to distance running. Enrolled students will be required to complete online coursework, participate in and document a personal training program, and run a race to earn grades in the courses.

The courses begin March 21 and end June 24. To maintain flexibility for distant learners, students may complete the course requirements by training for and running a comparable race at a different location.

Beardsley, a two-time Grandma's champ, set the course record in 1981. Beardsley also is noted for running the fourth fastest U.S. men's marathon of all time in Boston in 1982. In that race, he finished a close second to Alberto Salazar in a legendary race that has been dubbed "The Duel in the Sun."

Grandma's Marathon record-holder Dick Beardsley will teach an online marathon training course.

Beardsley is an accomplished speaker and writer as well. In 2002, he was awarded the Minnesota Meeting and Events Association's Best Speaker Award. That year, the University of Minnesota Press published Beardsley's autobiography, "Staying the Course: A Runner's Toughest Race."

Lake Superior College's Virtual Campus will become a major sponsor of Grandma's Marathon as a means of promoting the new offering.

"This is a first-of-a-kind partnership for Grandma's Marathon," said Scott Keenan, Grandma's Marathon race director. "It's a great opportunity to train and get fit, get college credit, and participate in a wonderful community event."

For information, contact Christine Torma, (218) 733-2030, c.torma@lsc.mnscu.edu or see www.lsc.mnscu.edu/online.