Lauren Hagans (Paquette), an athlete from HOKA Northern Arizona Elite, and former collegiate star, will be making her marathon debut at the 2023 Grandma’s Marathon, as announced earlier this month on her club’s official website here.
Hagans, a Baylor University graduate from 2008, has participated in several Half Marathon races since her debut in the event in 2014, where she recorded a time of 1:15:57. Over the years, she has achieved a personal best of 1:09:46 and secured a fourth-place finish at the USATF Half Marathon Championships in 2021. However, she has yet to compete in a full marathon.
This will change in the upcoming summer schedule as Hagans has decided to make her marathon debut at the 2023 Grandma’s Marathon, scheduled for June 17 in Duluth, Minnesota. Read more: RRW: Saturday Special – Grandma’s Marathon Results 2022
She expressed her choice, stating, “I chose Grandma’s Marathon because it offers a great course and promises to be a fun race for my debut.”
Recently, Hagans achieved a second-place finish at the USATF Half Marathon Championships in February, clocking a time of 1:09:51, which was close to her personal best. The 36-year-old athlete aims to carry over the momentum from her recent success and make a strong impression in her first marathon.
HOKA Northern Arizona Elite has had success at the Grandma’s Marathon in the past, and Hagans will be looking to contribute to that legacy.
Notably, Dakotah Lindwurm, the two-time defending champion, is among the already confirmed runners for this year’s event.
Lindwurm, who placed 33rd at the 2023 B.A.A. Boston Marathon in April, won last year’s Grandma’s Marathon with a personal best time of 2:25:01, and will aim for a three-peat in this year’s race.
