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Help Joel raise money

For participating in 2026 Grandma's Marathon Weekend Races

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My Story

In the summer of 1986, before my senior year of high school, my Uncle George asked me if I would like to go to the Boundary Waters because they needed a 4th person. My first impression was that this place was something special and I promised myself to come back every year. I was also excited to introduce others such as family and friends to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.


My love of spending time with family and friends in the BWCAW, along with my Dad's passion for running and Grandma's Marathon, has inspired me to lace up my running shoes for the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon in Duluth on June 20th to raise funds for Save the Boundary Waters, a non-profit organization that works to permanently protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota.

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
Jan 25 Haas Family Happy training Joel! Thanks for running to protect that special place and in memory of Grandpa $55.25
Jan 20 Eric & Katie Dukart $268.25
Jan 20 Tim Schleicher and Dan Johnsen Joel, This is a great tribute to Dad and a very fitting benefit to a cause and area we hold dear. Way to go! $108.50
Jan 19 Lehmann Family $55.25
Jan 19 John and Jackie Aldritt This is awesome, Joel! ❤️ $55.25
Jan 17 Rhonda Dukart So proud of you Joel! $108.50
Jan 15 Judi Schleicher So proud of you Joel. Dad's two passions (besides his family) were running and BWCA/Nature. It's a great tribute to him. Love you.❤️ $268.25
Jan 15 The Mahals $55.25
Jan 15 Doug and Tricia Dieck So glad you are doing this Schlike! Thank you! $500.00
Jan 15 Mark, Holly, Cedar and Leo Schleicher Love this! Go Joel! This gift is in memory of Don Schleicher and his numerous Grandma's Marathons and trips to the BWCAW. $55.25