Grandma's runs short of entrants

Grandma's Marathon expects a shortfall of about $80,000 this year due to a drop in entries, but executive director Scott Keenan says the not-for-profit organization budgets conservatively and is in good shape financially, the Duluth News Tribune reported Tuesday.

Registration for the 33rd annual race ended Monday and organizers had 8,338 entrants near the close of business, although entries were taken on line through midnight. Keenan expected to top out at about 8,400, while the entry limit was 9,500 for the June 20 event in Duluth.

It marks the first time in 15 years that the event didn't sell out. The marathon had an all-time high of 9,904 runners a year ago, but the recession took a bite out of entries in 2009, Keenan said.

"We had a solid dose of reality after the first two or three weeks of our registration period in January," said Keenan, who has been with the race from the start in 1977. "Since economic conditions took a downturn, it's been very understandable that our numbers would be down."

Keenan said the race will be 900 to 1,000 shy of projected entry numbers. Grandma's had an entry fee of $85.

St. Cloud State's Motzko signs 6-year contract St. Cloud State men's hockey coach Bob Motzko has signed a six-year contract extension, which will keep Motzko at the helm of the program through the 2014-15 season, the university announced.

Motzko has charted an 81-58-19 overall record witht the Huskies and he was named the WCHA Coach of the Year in 2006 and '07. His teams have advanced to the WCHA Final Five three times, and the Huskies gained bids to the NCAA tournament in 2007 and '08.

Nikki Swenson was awarded an at-large berth to compete in the 800-meter run. She will join teammate Heather Dorniden in the field of the 800 meters. Other Gophers women headed to the NCAA meet are: Liz Roehrig (heptathlon); Alicia Rue (pole vault); Amy Laskowske (10,000); and Elizabeth Yetzer (1,500).

On the men's side, Chris Rombough received one of those at-large berths in the 5,000-meter run, joining teammate Hassan Mead in the field. Other Gophers men heading to the NCAAs are: Aaron Studt (shot put); R.J. McGinnis (decathlon); Matt Fisher (high jump); and Ben Blankenship (1,500).

Etc. • The St. Paul Saints split a doubleheader with the Lincoln Saltdogs in Lincoln, Neb., on Tuesday. The Saints won the opener, a make-up game from Monday's rainout, 4-3, then lost the nightcap 2-0. The Saints rallied from a 3-0 deficit in the opener, with Ole Sheldon's solo homer in the sixth being the winning run. Saints starter Mitch Wylie was perfect for most of the game.

• Alison Hurley shot a 4-over-par 75 and held a one-shot lead on the first day of the two-day Women's Mid-Amateur state tournament Tuesday at Mankato Golf Club. Leigh Klasse shot a 76 to finish in second place heading into today's final round.