New Women’s Champion, first marathon for Lauren Hagans
Grandma’s Marathon has a new women’s champion, Lauren Hagans of Flagstaff, Arizona crossed the finish line with an unofficial time of 2:25:55.
Hagans, took over the lead from reigning champion, Dakotah Lindwurm, on London Road. The 36-year-old is in her debut marathon.

Lauren’s support team told her that she could win the marathon, she says there were a lot of emotions.
“I went through the range of emotions through the entire 26.2,” Hagans said. She said today she started to “race” at 17 or 18 miles, and was able to hold steady through the end.
RELATED STORY: Returning Champion: Elisha Barno wins 5th Grandma’s Marathon
“I have never run a marathon, I love this one,” Hagans said. “There are pockets of people everywhere, but especially the last four miles or so, approaching downtown was very helpful.”

Lauren Hagans is the 2023 Grandma's Marathon Women's Champion. (WDIO)
Hagans said Duluth was the perfect place to debut, “Perfect timing, Perfect Place. low-key but exciting.”
Grandma’s Marathon Photo Gallery
The Elite runners at the start of Grandma’s Marathon. The Elite runners at the start of Grandma’s Marathon. All smiles at the finish. He looks pleased with the result. Looking at that finish line! So happy! Scenes from the finish! We did it! Very happy. Scenes from the finish! KSTP’s Tom Hauser stopped by the desk to talk about running the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. Celebrating a birthday! Supporting each other during the race Nyah Adams speaks to runners and their families. Smiles and sighs of relief as runners finish the race. Runners feel relieved to be almost at the finish line. The Lift’s Baihly Warfield did the show, ran a 5K and met up with Alicia Tipcke at the finish! The crowd of runners waiting for the start of the William A. Irvin 5K on Friday. Alicia Tipcke is raring to go at the finish of the William A. Irvin 5K Alicia Tipcke and photographer Erik Johnson having fun at the events on Friday. Two-time Grandma’s Marathon champion, Dakotah Lindwurm at the press conference. The elite runners hold a press conference talking strategy on Friday. The kids got their own race number, a finisher medal and goodie bag. Parents brought their children to bayfront festival park to get some activity in at the Whipper Snapper race. There are fun short distance races at the Whipper Snapper race to inspire the next generation of runners! Whipper Snapper race features a half of a mile for older kids to run and those younger ones went an eighth of a mile. Serving spaghetti with a smile! Michelina’s All-You-Can-Eat spaghetti. (WDIO) Pre-race celebration at the Michelina’s All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti Dinner on Friday. (WDIO)