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For participating in 2026 Grandma's Marathon Weekend Races

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My Story

I am running Grandmas Marathon to raise money for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA). The BWCA is more than just a park; it is a sprawling, 1.1 million-acre labyrinth of glacial lakes and untouched forests. It holds some of the cleanest water on the planet. Allowing a Chilean Mine to operate within the watershed is very bad.

Because the watershed is so interconnected, a single point of pollution—such as runoff from proposed sulfide-ore copper mining—could devastate the entire ecosystem. Once this water is contaminated, there is no "undo" button. I have drank (raw) water right from the lakes. 

The BWCA is so important to me. It’s a place of ritual and rejuvenation. It's adventure while being therapeutic. The lakes and streams are immaculate and now vulnerable. It needs to be protected from impure interests. 

Description

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) is an undeveloped 1.1 million-acre federal and state-recognized Wilderness Area. It is an expanse of lakes, rivers, and forests in the Superior National Forest, located along the Minnesota-Canada border, that has been protected by statute and international treaty for more than a century. This is the sixth most critical region in the lower 48 to protect for climate resiliency and contains 20% of all the freshwater in the entire National Forest System. The water in the Boundary Waters is so clean, you can dip your cup and drink straight from the lake.

Save the Boundary Waters is the locally-based, national campaign led by Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness based in Ely, Minnesota dedicated to permanently protecting America’s most beloved Wilderness Area – the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Recent donors

Donation date Donor name Donation amount
May 13 Megan Larison Thank you for your service. Undisclosed amount
May 13 Sue Gustad Run Brian Run! Undisclosed amount
May 09 Ron Carlson Good luck Bryan! $55.25
May 05 Blake Save the BWCA $25.00
May 05 Mark Buehler Undisclosed amount
May 05 Dana Lenahan Good luck, Bryan! Undisclosed amount
May 05 Cynthia Kolb Great cause, Bryan. Thanks for doing this. Good luck in Grandma’s! Undisclosed amount
May 04 Robert Bodzin $108.50
May 04 Brent H $28.63
Mar 02 Laney Chmielewski $28.63