• YAF Races
    • YAF Youth Races

          • Our kids. Our community. Our future.

            A central pillar of the Young Athletes Foundation is providing free and accessible programming for our area’s kids throughout the year. These programs are focused on our mission of building and providing pathways to the community’s children in their pursuit of active and healthy lifestyles.

          • Wednesday Night at the Races
          • Saturday Morning at the Races
          • Whipper Snapper Races
    • YAF Programs

          • Our kids. Our community. Our future.

            Since its inception in 1990, the Young Athletes Foundation has worked to support the organizations and individuals of its five-county region through a series of kids’ events, grants, scholarships, and other programs that are focused on promoting and providing pathways for kids to live healthy and active lifestyles.

          • Grant Program
          • Running Shoe Program
          • Scholarship Program
          • Fit-n-Fun Run
          • Winter Challenge
    • YAF Volunteer

          • Our kids. Our community. Our future.

            Our tremendous community of volunteers plays a significant role in helping the Young Athletes Foundation to create memorable and successful events for our runners. More than 1,000 volunteers are needed throughout the year to support our fundraising race events for the YAF.

    • YAF Sponsors

          • Our kids. Our community. Our future.

            The Young Athletes Foundation was created to serve the community, and for more than three decades we have done that with the help of our local and regional business partners. With events throughout the year, our sponsors assist greatly in our mission of  providing pathways of opportunity to youth in athletic programs and encouraging healthy lifestyles.

    • What to See & Do

          • Authentic Duluth

            Don’t miss out on the authentic Duluth experience! Grandma’s Marathon falls during one of the most beautiful times of the year in northern Minnesota, and there’s no shortage of outdoor adventures or fun activities for you to enjoy with your family and friends on race weekend!

          • Read More
    • Where to Stay

          • Authentic Duluth

            There’s nothing more important before the race or more welcome after the race than the perfect place to rest, relax, and recharge. With the help of our many lodging and hospitality partners in the area, Grandma’s Marathon is committed to making sure each of our 20,000+ runners, not to mention our volunteers and spectators, have a place to stay on race weekend!

          • Read More
    • Where to Eat & Drink

          • Authentic Duluth

            Every year since 1977, our community has thrown open its doors to runners and spectators in town for Grandma’s Marathon. As the race has grown, the service industry has always been there with a smile to welcome tens of thousands of runners along with their families and friends as they descend on Duluth for race weekend.

          • Read More
    • How to Get Around

          • Authentic Duluth

            There is so much to see and do in Duluth and along the North Shore of Minnesota! Getting there couldn’t be easier with our transportation partners. Whether you need to know where to find parking nearby on race day or you are looking for a way to get around town, we are here to help.

          • Read More
    • Sponsors

          • It Takes a Village

            At Grandma’s Marathon, we specialize in bringing people together for an unparalleled running experience. Over four decades of careful attention to detail has earned us the reputation as one of the most highly organized races in the country. More than 20,000 participants travel from more than 50 countries and all 50 states to join us each June on the scenic shores of Lake Superior, and your message can be waiting for all of them when they get here.

          • Read More
    • Volunteer

          • It Takes a Village

            We agree with our runners — we have the most compassionate and energizing community of volunteers. Every year, we host close to 20,000 participants and we couldn’t take care of them without your help. Grandma’s Marathon is a world-class event with small-town charm because of our volunteers!

          • Read More
    • Donation Campaign

          • It Takes a Village

            We couldn’t do it without you, and we wouldn’t want to! The passion our community has for Grandma’s Marathon is what gives our race its small town charm, and the contributions you’ve made over the years are what allow us to keep improving the world class experience for our participants, volunteers, and spectators.

          • Read More
    • The Marathon
          • Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter Youtube
    • Annual Races
    • Young Athletes Foundation
    • When You Visit
    • Support Us

Blog and Podcast

The Marathon Blog

While Grandma’s Marathon is only one day a year, there is still plenty going on all 365 days from smaller events to planning for our favorite weekend of the year in June. Check back on the blog for stories from our Grambassadors, elite athletes, and behind-the-scenes looks from our staff. 

Grambassador 2022 Race Weekend: Shannon H

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July 12, 2022
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Blog, Grambassadors

This was my fifth Grandma’s Marathon weekend, and I have to say it may have been my favorite. I was …

Grambassador 2022 Race Weekend: Angie M-B

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July 12, 2022
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Blog, Grambassadors

I can’t stay away from Duluth. I have been participating in a Grandma’s Marathon event since 2014. When the opportunity …

Grambassadors 2022 Race Weekend Recap: Rachel B

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June 30, 2022
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Blog, Grambassadors

Every year, I look forward to Grandma’s Marathon for MONTHS leading up to race weekend. And every year, it seems …

Grambassadors 2022 Race Weekend: Michelle Z

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June 29, 2022
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Blog, Grambassadors

Friday: My running partner, her fiancée, and I all made the trip from Fargo/Moorhead. We stopped in Park Rapids for …

1977 Grandma’s Marathon

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June 3, 2022
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Behind the Scenes, Grambassadors

It was 45 years ago, June 25, 1977, that the first Grandma’s Marathon was held. I had the honor of …

KANDAHAR MARATHON

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May 20, 2022
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Blog

Mark Gudgel is a Nebraska native who has always had a passion for non-profits and philanthropic work. With the help …

Gearing Up for Grandma's Podcast

Listen to inspiring stories from some our elite athletes, citizen runners, volunteers, and community partners leading up to Grandma’s Marathon race weekend.

Started in 1977 with only 150 runners, Grandma’s Marathon has grown into much more than just a 26.2-mile race along the shores of Lake Superior and now represents a celebration of community like none other for the communities surrounding the small town of Duluth, MN.

Our Gearing Up for Grandma’s podcast is brought to you with the support of Essentia Health, and Grandma’s Marathon is proudly presented by Toyota,
Members Cooperative Credit Union, and ASICS.

 

© 2022
Grandmas Marathon Duluth-Inc.
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Fitger's 5K History

The Fitger’s 5K began in 1990 and over more than three decades has now become Duluth’s premier spring running event.

The 3.1-mile race traditionally starts and finishes in front of the historic Fitger’s building. The scenic race course takes participants through downtown Duluth and Canal Park.

Below are the all-time Fitger’s 5K race records and winners from each year. NOTE: Some early records are incomplete and our staff is working to retrieve those dating back to 1990.

2022 Fitger's 5K Parking Info

The Fitger’s 5K course starts and finishes just outside the historic Fitger’s Lakefront Hotel in downtown Duluth. They travel eastward toward 23rd Avenue East on Superior Street, London Road, and South Street.

Course Map [PDF]
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2022 Fitger's 5K Parking Info

The Fitger’s 5K course starts and finishes just outside the historic Fitger’s Lakefront Hotel in downtown Duluth. They travel eastward toward 23rd Avenue East on Superior Street, London Road, and South Street.

Course Map [PDF]
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2022 Fitger's 5K Parking Info

Free parking for the event is available in the parking ramp located next to Fitger’s.

Fitger’s Complex
600 E. Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55802

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2022 Fitger's 5K Race Packet Pickup Info

The Fitger’s 5K course starts and finishes just outside the historic Fitger’s Lakefront Hotel in downtown Duluth. They travel eastward toward 23rd Avenue East on Superior Street, London Road, and South Street.

Course Map [PDF]
CLOSE

2022 Fitger's 5K Swag Items

The Fitger’s 5K course starts and finishes just outside the historic Fitger’s Lakefront Hotel in downtown Duluth. They travel eastward toward 23rd Avenue East on Superior Street, London Road, and South Street.

Course Map [PDF]
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