Great Grandma's Challenge
June 19-20, 2026 | Duluth, MN
To 2026 Race Weekend
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Registration for the 2026 Grandma’s Marathon weekend will open on October 1.
Connect with other Great Grandma’s Challenge participants!
- Participant Facebook Group — You’ve got questions about race weekend? Go straight to the source and connect with other participants!
- Grambassadors — We’ve assembled a group of experienced and enthusiastic race weekend veterans to offer help and encouragement!
26.2 or 13.1 not enough? You can enhance your race weekend experience!
- Full Great Grandma’s Challenge — Run the William A. Irvin 5K on Friday before Grandma’s Marathon on Saturday! NOTE: The Full Great Grandma’s Challenge is SOLD OUT.
- Half Great Grandma’s Challenge — Run the William A. Irvin 5K on Friday before the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon on Saturday! NOTE: The Half Great Grandma’s Challenge is SOLD OUT.
Can’t wait until October 1?! Skip the registration line, and get signed up early!
GRANDMA’S MARATHON OFFICIAL TRAINING GROUP
Led by USTAF- and RRCA-certified coach Tony Stensland, our Twin Ports-based training group offers 65+ group runs starting in January, making it the perfect place to gain the confidence needed to chase that huge PR on race day.
Not only can you feel unmatched levels of support and camaraderie through your training cycle, you can secure your spot at the start line before our general registration opens on October 1!
Training group registration is now open. Entries available for Grandma’s Marathon or Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon.
YOUNG ATHLETES FOUNDATION CHARITY RUNNERS
The other side of Grandma’s Marathon is the Young Athletes Foundation (YAF), through which we’ve contributed more than $1.8 million in support of youth athletics and activities that encourage physical fitness, mental, and emotional well-being.
Our race has been built on community, and we’re recruiting you to help strengthen ours. For a $500 donation to the YAF, you can secure your spot at the start line before our general registration opens on October 1!
YAF charity entries will open on Monday, September 15. Entries available for Grandma’s Marathon or Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon.
WORLD CLASS EVENT, SMALL TOWN CHARM
Some things aren’t just made — they’re built. With passion, with purpose, and with persistence. Grandma’s Marathon wasn’t just handed its legacy — it was earned.
The story of the marathon is much like that of its participants.
It’s a promise we make to ourselves — to try, and to do our best.
We come from different cities, countries, and ways of life, but once every year, we share the same road. For many, it’s like coming home. We can never leave the race, because it will never leave us.
So, here’s to every mile behind, and every mile still to come. This is Grandma’s Marathon. A world class event with small town charm. Built to last, and only getting stronger.
2026 RACE DETAILS
Full Great Grandma’s Challenge Entry Fee
October 1-October 15 — $240
October 16-December 31 — $255
January 1-March 31 — $270
April 1-June 1 — $280
Virtual — $225
Half Great Grandma’s Challenge Entry Fee
October 1-October 15 — $230
October 16-December 31 — $245
January 1-March 31 — $260
April 1-June 1 — $270
Virtual — $215
Per Minnesota’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act, all listed race entry costs include surcharges and processing fees.
THE SWAG
2026 VELOCITY HOODIE (Storm Creek)
SPECIAL Price: $69.99
(MSRP: $105.00)
Sporty enough for a run, comfy enough for the couch, and practical enough for errands. The Velocity Hoodie keeps up with your every move with 4-way stretch, zippered pockets, and a flattering fit. Basically, it’s designed for life at full speed. Fabric: 79% recycled nylon/21% spandex.
- 4-way stretch, performance fabric
- Lightweight and breathable
- Technical design with clean seam detailing
- 3-piece scuba hood with elastic trim and extended brim for all-day wear
- Zippered hand pockets
2026 TRAINING SHIRT
(Leslie Jordan)
SPECIAL Price: $29.99
Look good, feel better, and run fast. Let your clothes do the talking for you and let the world know you’re training for race day in this long-sleeve tech training shirt.
Per Minnesota’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act, all listed apparel item costs include surcharges and processing fees.
BUY BOTH DURING REGISTRATION & SAVE $15
Largest Event in History
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
Grandma’s Marathon is now the 10th largest marathon in the United States, with 7,578 finishers in 2024 marking its largest field in the event’s 48-year history.
In total, more than 235,000 participants have crossed the finish line in Duluth’s Canal Park since the start of Grandma’s Marathon in 1977. If the current pace continues, organizers expect that total to reach the quarter million mark during the 50th annual event in June 2026.
LARGEST MARATHONS IN THE UNITED STATES (2024)
1. New York City Marathon — 54,646
2. Chicago Marathon — 52,129
3. Boston Marathon — 25,530
4. Los Angeles Marathon — 20,450
5. Marine Corps Marathon — 16,180
6. Honolulu Marathon — 13,173
7. Walt Disney Marathon — 12,694
8. Philadelphia Marathon — 12,377
9. California International Marathon — 8,356
10. Grandma’s Marathon — 7,578
Minnesota’s Best
Grandma’s Marathon was voted four straight years (2021-24) as the state’s top annual sports event or race in the Minnesota’s Best awards, a Star Tribune initiative to celebrate the many businesses, organizations, and individuals that make Minnesota a great place to live, work, and play.
Minnesota’s Best is an audience-driven contest and had more than 1 million votes cast for 6,700+ organizations in 300+ categories.
Best of the Best
Grandma’s Marathon was voted three straight years (2022-24) as the region’s best local tournament in the Best of the Best awards, which are hosted by our major media partner the Duluth News Tribune.
More that 140,000 votes were cast in this year’s competition, separating close to 45,000 nominees in hundreds of different categories searching to find the best of the best in Duluth and the surrounding area.
RUNNERS’ CHOICE
Grandma’s Marathon was named by RaceRaves users as the top marathon in the state of Minnesota, and the the race also earned a spot on The BibRave 100: A Definitive List of the Best Races in America.
Grandma’s Marathon was also named one of the nation’s top 5 “Race-Cations” for its combination of a premier event with other race weekend experiences.
MN Signature Event
Grandma’s Marathon was named a Signature Event by Explore Minnesota Tourism for its contributions to the state’s $15 billion travel industry.
In a 2019 economic study, it was reported that Grandma’s Marathon brings nearly $21 million to the region each year.
The organization aimed to highlight Minnesota-based, world-class events that produce substantial media exposure and generate significant travel dollars for the state of Minnesota.
Future Grandma’s
Marathon Weekends
June 19-20, 2026
June 18-19, 2027
June 16-17, 2028
June 15-16, 2029
June 21-22, 2030
