Grambassador 2026 Recap: Tanya

One of the best things about running a Grandma’s weekend event is that each year can feel like a whole new experience. We all know that the weather itself is never predictable, but even as someone who’s been running along the North Shore for over a decade now, it still feels like there’s always something new to discover. This year there were a few new things that helped shaped this weekend into one of my favorites yet.

This was our third year staying down in Canal Park, and while it’s a bit more costly to do so, I’ve come to love being able to stay right where the action is. As usual, we also got into town on Thursday, which is something I recommend to anyone coming up for the weekend, if they’re able. Last year the 5K on Friday was moved from its original 6pm time, up to 1pm, which has certainly made an impact on incoming traffic.

After checking into the hotel, we made our way to the expo at the DECC, which is always run (pun intended) like a well-oiled machine. I picked up my race packet for Saturday’s Garry Bjorklund half, stopped at both the Mile in My Shoes and Brave Like Gabe booths, gave some hugs, and was out in no time. Dinner was a simple endeavor at the hotel restaurant, and then it was just a night of relaxing, in anticipation of the next two days being much more jampacked.

Friday, we opted to enjoy the all you can eat spaghetti dinner, one of our favorite weekend traditions, for lunch instead, while the 5K race was going on. Last year was the first time we attempted to do it for lunch instead of dinner, but we arrived there as the 5K was ending. This meant the line to get in was super long, and we just didn’t feel like waiting at the time. There was zero line for us this year, which also meant ample amounts of seating. For us, the timing was perfect!

After lunch, we had a leisurely stroll along the lake walk, enjoying the close-up view of Lake Superior, and watching for any ships that may come into the harbor. Duluth was built on a huge hill, and it never ceases to amaze me when you stand along the shore of the lake, look up, and see a massive, sprawling hill, with houses and businesses all nestled in.

One of the main things I do before every race is to set out my race outfit the night before, and anything else I’ll need for it, such as gels, headphones, etc. This helps to prevent a last minute, half asleep, scramble for things, especially if I’m at a hotel with my family, and attempting to be quiet while everyone else is (lucky ducks!) still sleeping. Saturday, race day, meant a super early wake up time. Let’s face it, aside from maybe an early flight out for a Hawaiian vacation, the Garry Bjorklund half marathon is about the only thing I’ll willingly get up at 3:45am for.

Based on my corral, my window for catching the shuttle bus from the DECC was 4:45-5. From there, it was about a 20-minute ride to the halfway point from Two Harbors to Duluth, along old highway 61. The weather at the start was perfect, about mid to upper 50’s, although I wouldn’t have minded if it was even a few degrees cooler.

The race itself was perfect. My only goal this year was to beat last years’ time, which I did by nearly 5 minutes. I spent the race moving slowly but steadily, stopping to take pics of the always enjoyable troll dolls along the course. I received some much needed and welcome high fives and woos from the Mile in My Shoes crew, and this year my husband even managed to take a quick video of me about a half mile from the finish, along the backside of the DECC, which was a nice surprise.

The crowd support, as usual, was amazing. If you’ve ever run a Grandma’s weekend race before, you know what I mean. Over the last twelve years I’ve experienced everything from steady rain, temps barely making it to 50 degrees, and temps soaring to black flag conditions. Despite all of that, the city of Duluth knows how to cheer and support the runners with the best of them. From the elite runners to the back of the packers, they’re simply some of the best spectators in the world.

After the race, and I picked up my shirt and lots of post-race snacks, then headed back to the hotel to shower and relax for a few hours, before heading out to visit a local cat café, called Wired Whisker. I had never been to a cat café prior to that, although I’d always wanted to visit one. It turns out this was only their second year in Duluth. Although the cats at the time we visited were much more interested in their usual cat nap, it was a fun experience and I’d recommend visiting them, at least once. They also sell the most adorable (and yummy!) macarons that they call Meowcarons. It should be noted that while you can see the cats through a glass wall, you do need to make reservations if you want to spend some one-on-one time in the room with the cats.

After getting my cat fix for the day, we headed over to a new to us Vietnamese restaurant called Phoholic, for dinner. Ramen and pho are one of my favorite things in the world to eat, and this place did not disappoint! We even tried their bao buns, which were equally delicious. If you ever crave a post-race bowl of ramen like I do, and you happen to be in Duluth, I highly recommend them!

Sunday was the long drive back home, exhausted but happy. I made a bunch of fantastic new core memories, doing something that I truly love. I can’t wait for 2027!