Garry Bjorklund

Post-college career Bjorklund competed in his second Pan American Games in 1975. In the 10,000 m run, he finished just outside the medal places, in fourth. In June 1976, Bjorklund ran in the 10,000 m race at the U.S. Olympic Trials, seeking a place at the 1976 Summer Olympics. The race was held at Eugene, Oregon's Hayward Field over almost 25 laps; the top three finishers would earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic team. In the first half of the race, the leading contenders—Bjorklund, Craig Virgin, Bill Rodgers, and Frank Shorter—stayed grouped together. During lap 14, Bjorklund lost his left shoe when another runner made contact with his foot. He did not win a medal in the final, ending in 13th place.

By 1977, Bjorklund had started running in marathons, and the next year announced that he would focus on them. He cited a lack of support from track promoters and governing bodies and said, "I got more notice running in my first two marathons than I did in my total track career." In his third career marathon appearance, Bjorklund had a course-record time of 2:13:46.4 at the Maryland Marathon. Bjorklund posted a fifth-place finish in the 1977 New York City Marathon, and was the early leader in 1978 before fading in the final eight miles. Bjorklund was the winner of 10 "major road races" in 1978, and was considered a main competitor for Rodgers, the winner of those New York City Marathons. At the 1979 Boston Marathon, he again finished in fifth.

Due to the 1980 Summer Olympics boycott by the U.S., Bjorklund was unable to run the marathon in the Games that year. After declining to run in the Boston Marathon, he decided against taking part in the U.S. Olympic Trials. However, he did run the fastest marathon of his career at that year's Grandma's Marathon, posting a time of 2:10.20. By 1981, Bjorklund was the owner of a series of five stores selling running goods in the Minneapolis – Saint Paul region. At the 1984 U.S. Olympic Trials in the marathon, Bjorklund pulled out with about eight miles left. He also attempted to make the 10,000 m team, but was passed for the final qualifying spot in the final 300 m. As of 2015, Bjorklund resides in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Honors Bjorklund was inducted into the Road Runners Club of America's Hall of Fame in 1988. He is also in the Hall of Fame of his high school, and in 1992 the University of Minnesota inducted him into its M Club Hall of Fame. The Grandma's Marathon in Duluth named a side event after him; the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon has been held since 1991.