Help Benjamin raise money

Running for Something Bigger (Again)

Hi, I’m Ben Long—a husband, dad, business owner, and the guy who’s up before sunrise training for another 26.2-mile trek from Two Harbors to Duluth. This is my second year running Grandma’s Marathon, and it’s not just about the finish line—it’s about what happens far from the course, right here in Forest Lake.

I’m running again to support the Forest Lake Good Samaritans, a grassroots group started by my friend Mike Kaiser. These folks are the real deal—fixing roofs, delivering meals, building ramps, surprising bus drivers with donuts, and showing up for people who just need a hand. No red tape, no overhead—just good people doing great things.

Last year, I ran to prove I could. This year, I’m running because we all can do more—and the Good Samaritans are proof. Every mile I run helps fund small acts of kindness that create massive ripple effects.

So if you’ve ever wondered how you could help your neighbors but didn’t know where to start, this is it. Chip in, spread the word, or just follow along and cheer from afar. I’ll run the miles—let’s do the kindness together.