Lake Superior College News Releases

(Duluth, Minn.) — Among the thousands of runners who will participate in running events during Grandma’s Marathon weekend this June, a few dozen will be there to take a final exam. Lake Superior College is offering its unique online marathon training course again this spring, providing an opportunity to train for and run Grandma’s Marathon or the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon for college credit.

The course provides race training and nutritional information in addition to history, etiquette, and basic skills. Course work is presented online through the Lake Superior College Virtual Campus, making it easily accessible to students at a distance. Enrolled students are guaranteed entry into the marathon or half marathon. They may also arrange to compete in a comparable race to meet course requirements.

Native Duluthian Katie Koski will teach the online physical education course. Koski is an elite runner who hopes to qualify for this year’s Olympic trials in Boston. She was asked to teach the online course for Lake Superior College because of her experience competing in Grandma’s Marathon. She has run in the event eight times, finishing in the top ten on several occasions.

The option to take the class as a non-credit course is also available for those who would benefit from the course content, but don’t need college credit.

More than 17,000 runners and 50,000 race fans from around the world are expected to participate in the June 19-21, 2008 Grandma’s Marathon weekend. The registration deadline to sign up for the Grandma’s Marathon course is March 21, 2008. For more information, contact Christine Torma, (218) 733-2030, c.torma@lsc.edu, or visit www.lsc.edu/online/.

LSC is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. With more than 4,300 students enrolled this fall semester, LSC is Northeastern Minnesota’s largest two-year college. LSC provides a wide range of programs and services, including liberal arts and science courses for transfer, technical programs intended to provide occupational skills, continuing education, and customized training for business and industry. LSC is also the leader in Internet-delivered courses and programs in Minnesota.

College students from around the world are invited to participate in the College Cup competition held in conjunction with Grandma’s Marathon. Sponsored by Lake Superior College’s Virtual Campus, the College Cup event encourages college teams to compete against each other, while participating in the Grandma Marathon events in Duluth, Minnesota on June 16.� College students and staff are invited to form teams comprised of at least three race participants, with both genders represented. An unlimited number of participants on a college team are allowed. The top three times for each team, including at least one time from both the women’s race and the men’s race will be used to determine the winning times. College employees are also invited to participate, but only one of the race times per team may be from an employee. Separate team awards will be given for each race, the full marathon and half marathon. The deadline to sign up is Friday, June 15 at LSC’s Expo Booth at Grandma’s Marathon.

“We hope to generate a competitive and fun event, similar to a corporate challenge race, that will attract college students and employees,” said Barry Dahl, LSC’s vice president of technology and the Virtual Campus. “The College Cup provides an opportunity for students to display their college spirit while competing in a wonderful event.”?

For the last two years, LSC’s Virtual Campus has offered for-credit, online courses to prepare students to run Grandma’s Marathon, ski the American Birkebeiner and skate the NorthShore Inline Marathon. With more than 130 courses offered via the Internet, Lake Superior College’s Virtual Campus is a leader in providing online college classes in Minnesota.

To qualify for the College Cup, teams and all participants must register for the event at: www.collegecup.info There is no additional cost, beyond the standard race registration fee to compete in the College Cup. Visit the LSC website, www.lsc.edu/online/collegecup/, for full details, including registration information and rules. Information is also available via e-mail at virtual@lsc.edu.

With more than 4,800 students enrolled this spring semester, LSC is Northeastern Minnesota’s largest two-year college and a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system. LSC provides a wide range of programs and services, including liberal arts and science courses for transfer, technical programs intended to provide occupational skills, continuing education, and customized training for business and industry.