By Brandon Odum
DULUTH, Ga. | Growing up in Duluth—and being part of one of the city’s founding families—this town has always meant a lot to me. My roots run deep here, from Main Street to the woods behind Grandma Ann Odum’s house. But I’ve always wondered: how did our Duluth get its name?
Turns out, it came from Duluth, Minn. Back in the late 1800s, our town was known as Howell’s Crossing. But when the railroad was put in from St. Paul, Minn., to Duluth, Minn. in 1863 (the “Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad”), a congressman joked about stretching it “all the way to Duluth.” As the railroad came through Georgia, the name stuck for the Georgia town, too. Ever since I found that out, I’ve wanted to visit the other Duluth. I just didn’t expect it would happen by running a marathon.
Like a lot of folks, I got into running during COVID. All the gyms were shut down, and I needed a way to get outside, stay active, and clear my head. What started as simple walks between Zoom meetings in downtown Duluth slowly turned into jogs. I signed up for my first 5K, and somewhere along the way, I made the wild decision to register for a full marathon. Since then, I’ve run the Chicago Marathon and the Marine Corps Marathon in D.C.
When I learned that one of the biggest marathons in the country—Grandma’s Marathon—was held in Duluth, Minn., it felt like fate. The course runs from Two Harbors down the shoreline of Lake Superior and finishes in the heart of town. Over 10,000 runners show up every year, and the energy is incredible. I couldn’t help but smile every time I saw a “Welcome to Duluth” sign. Naturally, I brought home a race shirt for Grandma Ann, and she got a kick out of that.
Most of my training happens right here at home. I’m usually at Suwanee Creek Park on Saturdays, and during the week I’m out at Cauley Creek or getting in miles around downtown Duluth. I usually run anywhere between 30 and 40 miles per week. It’s a lot, but I hired a coach and followed a plan that helps keep me on track. The hardest part is simply getting out the door some mornings—but after every run, I feel 10 times better.
The best part? Being outside. The mental clarity. The quiet. Sure, there are a few drawbacks—nagging injuries here and there, early mornings, and let’s just say running shoes aren’t cheap. I’ve tried several brands, but Brooks shoes have been my go-to lately. I rotate pairs to keep things fresh.
I’m lucky to have an incredibly supportive family. My wife, Mary, and our two kids are always cheering me on. It means a lot to show them what it looks like to commit to something big and stick with it.
Now I’ve set a new goal: to run a marathon in every state. Next up is the Flying Pig in Cincinnati, then the New York City Marathon. But no matter how far I run, Duluth, Georgia will always be my starting line.
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