The Grandma’s Marathon has grown from a local race started in 1977, to now one of the largest in the U.S. with more than 9,000 participants every year. It offers a picturesque, net-downhill course along the beautiful shores of Lake Superior.
In 2023, more than 1000 runners (18.9% of finishers) qualified for the Boston Marathon. The Grandma’s Marathon is also a qualifier for U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
Grandma’s Marathon at a Glance
- Upcoming Race: June 22, 2024
- Location: Duluth, MN
- Capacity: 9,000
- 2023 First Place (Men’s): 02:09:14
- 2023 First Place (Women’s): 02:25:55
- Official Website: Grandma’s Marathon
(A) Grandma’s Marathon Course Map and Route Info
Scroll to zoom in and out. Click and hold to move around. Click on icons to see more race info such as gel stations and notable sights along the route. Water and aid stations are not marked on the map because there are plenty.
(B) Grandma’s Marathon Elevation Profile Interactive Chart
(Last Updated: 12/19/2023)
(C) Grandma’s Marathon Expo
- Pick up your race packet including bib number at the Essentia Health Fitness Expo at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC)
(D) Hotels and Lodging
The official lodging partner of Grandma’s Marathon is Holiday Inn & Suites – Duluth Downtown. It’s the city’s largest full-service hotel offering 338 rooms, two restaurants, two swimming pools, and complimentary covered parking.
Other hotels include Hampton Inn Canal Park, Hamton Inn Duluth North, Radisson, Sheraton, The Inn on Lake Superior, Canal Park Lodge, Lift Bridge Lodge, etc. Additionally, several colleges offer campus housing for the marathon weekend, which can be a low cost alternative to hotels.
The marathon organizer recommends calling the hotels directly instead of trying to book online for the race weekend, due to unique local considerations.
(E) Transportation
The ONLY allowable way for participants to get to the start line of Grandma’s Marathon or the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon is to use the official bus (or train, for full marathon participants).
For full marathon, there’re six bus pickup locations:
- Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC)
- University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD)
- University of Wisconsin Superior (UWS)
- Miller Hill Mall (near JCPenny)
- PROCTOR Sports & Event Center
- Two Harbors High School
After the race, shuttle buses will be available to return you to your bus loading location as well as some hotels.