Frisbie Defends Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Title in Thrilling Duel wiht Popehn
A captivating showdown between Annie Frisbie and Dakota Popehn highlighted Saturday’s Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon in Duluth, as Frisbie secured her second consecutive victory by a mere eight seconds.
The race, unfolding between the 8- and 9-mile markers, saw Olympian Dakota Popehn surge to challenge her training partner, Annie Frisbie. As Popehn overtook Frisbie, she extended a spirited invitation: “Hey, we’re better together.let’s work together and put on a show for Duluth.” And a show they delivered,maintaining a relentless back-and-forth pace all the way to the finish line. frisbie ultimately crossed the finish line with a time of 1 hour, 9 minutes, and 5 seconds.
“Honestly, this one I think I’m even more proud of,” said Frisbie, a 28-year-old athlete originally from Hopkins. “I felt a little bit more pressure coming into this one trying to defend my title from last year.” The added challenge, she explained, made the victory all the more rewarding. “it was such a mental and physical battle,” Frisbie continued. “I felt pretty terrible throughout the race, and so I was so proud of the fact that I was able to come back and close out as strong as I did and end up winning at the end.”
Fun Fact: Annie frisbie’s winning time translates to roughly 5 minutes and 17 seconds per mile!
Popehn, a 2024 U.S. Olympian, finished a close second with a time of 1:09:13, a result she described as bittersweet. “I’m happy because my teammate and best friend won, but man, for it to come down to like the final stretch like that and lose is always a little bit disappointing,” she admitted. Popehn had entered the race aiming to become the first athlete to win both the Garry Bjorklund Half marathon and the full marathon, having previously triumphed at Grandma’s Marathon in both 2021 and 2022. “I really wanted to be the first person to win both the half marathon and the full, but I guess I’ll wait for another year,” she said.
Did You no? Grandma’s Marathon, held annually in Duluth, is one of the most popular marathons in the United States.
Both runners faced an unexpected hurdle prior to the race: a 30-minute weather delay due to thunderstorms. While conditions improved, the runners contended with humidity exceeding 90%. “I soon found out that the humidity was not going to be on my side today,” Frisbie shared. “I felt kind of rough starting at mile three even, and so I started slowing down … I could tell that Dakota was closing in on me, and she closed in on me around mile six.”
Despite observing Frisbie’s pace,Popehn noted a lack of visible signs of fatigue from her competitor. “Oh yeah, I know what her tell is when she’s tired,” Popehn explained. “She likes to crank her neck off to the side, and I really wasn’t seeing that a lot today. So I was like, ‘oh, I know she’s feeling good, or she’s hiding it really well.'”
Runner’s Insight: Experienced runners frequently enough develop unique “tells” or mannerisms when they are pushing their limits. Recognizing these cues in competitors can be a strategic advantage.
Looking ahead, Popehn intends to focus on the full marathon next year, potentially signaling a shift in competitive matchups. If Saturday’s race proved to be the last half-marathon duel between the two for the foreseeable future, Frisbie acknowledged the profound impact of their ongoing rivalry.”She brings out the best of me,” Frisbie said. “She pushes me every day in practice, and we’re just continuously raising the bar for each other, and, yeah, I don’t know if it was if it were anyone else, if I were if I would have been able to fight as hard as I did today.”
[Image of Dakotah Popehn showing off her Olympic tattoo after finishing second in the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon in Duluth on Saturday. Popehn competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics women’s marathon. And Williamson / Duluth Media Group]
Jake Przytarski is a sports reporter for the Duluth News Tribune covering a mix of local prep and collegiate teams.
Beyond the Finish Line: How Rivalries Shape Running Careers
The electrifying finish of the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon highlighted not just Annie Frisbie’s second consecutive title, but also the profound impact of a strong rivalry, especially with Dakota Popehn. As Frisbie noted, Popehn “brings out the best of me,” a sentiment echoed by athletes across various disciplines. But what are the key elements of a compelling rivalry, and how do these competitive relationships specifically benefit runners like Frisbie and Popehn?
The anatomy of Athletic Rivalries
A true rivalry isn’t just about winning and losing; it’s about a constant push for betterment, fueled by mutual respect and a healthy dose of competition. It’s a relationship where each athlete elevates the other, setting a higher bar for performance.
- Mutual Respect: Underlying any great rivalry is a level of respect for the competitor’s abilities and dedication. This acknowledgement often translates into a better understanding of the other runner’s strengths and weaknesses, which leads to a sharpened strategic approach.
- Shared Goals: While victory is paramount, rivals often share broader goals, such as achieving personal bests or setting new records. Reaching these goals together, even indirectly, cultivates a deeper respect.
- Psychological Warfare (but Fair Play): The mental aspect of running includes recognizing “tells,” as Popehn does with Frisbie (as discussed previously). Mind games are only productive if they remain within the bounds of sportsmanship.
Well-matched rivals enhance each other’s performance through fierce competition by knowing each other’s strengths and weaknesses. This is the type of competitive relationship that exists between Annie Frisbie and Dakota Popehn.
How Rivalries Boost Performance: Benefits for Runners
The benefits of a strong rivalry extend beyond the immediate race results. They can substantially improve the longevity and quality of an athlete’s career.
- Enhanced Training: Training partners are sometimes rivals, so even training sessions become more competitive.This heightened competition leads to more intense workouts.
- increased Motivation: Knowing that a rival is also working hard provides built-in motivation to train harder and smarter, even when fatigued or discouraged.
- Faster Improvement: Rivals help each other focus on weaknesses and to find ways to improve skills. Watching their rivals helps athletes better understand how to improve.
- Greater Resilience: Facing a tough rival in races and practices builds mental toughness, preparing athletes for high-pressure situations.
Case Studies: Famous Running Rivalries
Frisbie and Popehn are the latest examples of how these relationships can fuel athletic greatness. Some previous notable rivalries are:
- Paula Radcliffe vs. Catherine Ndereba: These marathon legends pushed each other to the limits, resulting in world records and unforgettable races.
- Steve Prefontaine vs. Frank Shorter: This famous American track rivalry built great records and fan excitement.
The Future for Frisbie and popehn
As Popehn shifts her focus to the full marathon,the competitive landscape is sure to change. Will the half-marathon rivalry transform into a full-marathon showdown? The future will tell. Regardless, the impact of their relationship is certain to stay with the athletes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do rivalries always involve animosity?
No, quite the contrary. While competition can generate tension, true rivals often maintain a level of respect and even friendship.These relationships are most frequently enough built on the field of competition.
How can runners benefit from training with a rival?
training with a rival can elevate the quality and intensity of your training regimen. The heightened competition pushes athletes beyond their comfort zone, fostering consistent improvement.
