Delayed in Duluth – Great Grandma’s Challenge 2025- Angie Maske Berka

It was finally time to set out for Duluth, MN for Grandma’s Marathon weekend. My husband, Josh and I left Thursday morning for the almost seven hour drive. It was an uneventful drive, but I will say since I have been making the trip north on I-35, I am not sure if there has ever been a time there wasn’t road construction. We have been planning accordingly for years, mostly planning to arrive Thursday evening.

While I was initially excited and registered for the full marathon, an injury set me back. I had to make some changes to the training plan, but I was still going to run the half Great Grandma’s Challenge, which is the WIlliam A. Irvin 5k on Friday and the Garry Bjorklund half marathon on Saturday. 

I already apologize, this is going to be long.

Before getting to our hotel, I stopped to pick up a prize from Sports Tours, a cool BOCO hat. Then  we got checked into our hotel, near the finish line. From here, we stopped into the Grandma’s office. Then it was time to check out the expo at the DECC. I wanted to make sure I had my 5k bib for Friday. The 5k had a new start time of 1 PM.

We really had a great time at the expo. The area is set up with vendors in the bigger part of the building and packet pickup in the back. We started by getting our bibs first. This was really easy as the signage was visible regarding which event you were participating in. A pre-race email had your bib number. I was able to show it to a volunteer and they gathered all my things for the challenge. I was given a clear bag (that doubles as a gear check bag,) two pairs of socks (one for each distance,) an envelope with two bibs, and my 5k t-shirt. There were also various papers and coupons. Once we had our bags, we walked over a mat that read the chips on the bibs to make sure they worked.

Next, Josh and I split up and wandered around. I stopped at the booth giving samples of sparkling pickle juice, he made a jaunt to the merchandise area. I eventually met up with him there and browsed around. We spotted our names on the wrap on the cars. We then hit the booths playing games, trying samples and grabbing freebies. We even won some great prizes. 

As much fun as it was to win and get samples, we were hungry. It was time to find some supper. Staying close to the finish line is nice, but you have to pay attention to the road closures and being able to access the streets by car. On Thursday night we could still do this with no problem, so we ate some pizza at Sammy’s.

Friday morning was here and it was time to join a shakeout run at 9 AM. The Duluth Running Company was hosting and Dakotah Popehn and Annie Frisbie would be joining. The DRC is about 1.5 miles from where we were staying. With the 1PM race we were not sure if we would be able to get in and out of the parking lot. Instead, we joined the shakeout run as it ran by on the lake walk. We would join in and run back to the store. There were so many people on this run. This had us running about 2 miles and walking about 1.5. Once we got back to the store there was an autograph session, coffee and samples of LMNT. We did some shopping and left to return to the hotel.

We had some time, and decided to go back to the expo and look at the merchandise one more time. From there we had to figure out when to eat lunch. My husband was not running the 5k, but agreed to pick up some food  at the nearby Grandma’s restaurant, to have after the race. In the past, the issue was eating supper with the evening 5k start. 

Pre race communication encouraged runners to get to the starting area by 12:40. With the back fed corral, if you plan to run a faster pace,it would be wise to get there even earlier. I was glad I looked at the map in the race booklet, the starting area was different than last year, but not different from other years. I also noted the race course would be a little different this year too.

The National Anthem was sung live and the race began. While lining up by pace was suggested, there were no corrals and people advanced forward. This was great because we did not have to wait. I gave my jacket to my husband as it was a sunny, 60 degrees and took off. 

I had no goals for the 5k, I always participate because I am in town anyway. I am glad I looked at the new course ahead of time, I knew exactly where there would be a short climb so I just tried to find a place among the crowd until I got to the top of that hill. 

The course started out with the width of the city streets, in fact we got to run through the marathon finish line, but after that the course narrowed and felt super crowded. It took a turn through the parking lot and then hooked onto the lake walk. Then we followed the walk until it joined up with the walk that went downtown, it was a tight left turn. This is the section with the uphill climb, I believe we were just approaching the 2 mile mark. When I got to the top of this hill, I picked up my pace. The course also joined back on the city streets, so I had room to pass people. There were a few spectators and I heard a few “Go Hawks” as I headed towards the finish line. 

I crossed the finish line and was given a ship’s wheel shaped medal. I grabbed a bottle of water and had my choice of some post race snacks. I noticed there was a line of snacks on each side of the chute, but they appeared to have different items. However, for a 5k there were plenty of options. I grabbed a banana (for my husband for his breakfast the next day,) a granola bar and a bag of sour cream and onion lentil puffs. I also redeemed the drink ticket that was attached to my bib, which was nice to have versus being handed an additional ticket to redeem. There were plenty of beer, cider, and seltzer options in addition to soda and sparkling water.

I walked back to the hotel to join my husband for our late lunch. It was nice to have the time to enjoy the afternoon. I might have even taken a nap.

Next up on our agenda was a quick stop at the finish line to meet the Grambassadors and snap a picture. We also offered our services as they were working on setting up the area. From here it was time to grab some supper at the Michelina’s Spaghetti dinner.

This event was held in the second story ballroom at the DECC. We were hoping since the 5k moved to 1PM it would be less crowded around 6:30pm. In the past we always ate our pasta after the 5k, which felt as if everyone else had the same idea. Wow, we were wrong, it was just as crowded as it has been every other year. We just had some patience and waited our turn in line. I’ve said it before, but this dinner has more volunteers than my small town half marathon. We enjoyed spaghetti, rolls, cookies, salad, and ice cream. We noticed that the loaves of bread and liters of water were no longer offered on the tables. Instead there were coolers with water along the edge of the room. 

It was time to head back to the hotel and get ready for the big day. The race is a point to point and a shuttle is required to get to the start line, those wake up times are early. Also, there would be storms moving in over night and race communications had sent messages letting us know there would be an update at 4 AM regarding the weather. 

At 3 AM I was awake, the sky was also awake and it was indeed storming. I checked the radar, and it appeared it would move through and that would be it. Shuttle pick up times were based on corral start times, I was encouraged to get on a bus at 4:45-5:00 AM. I questioned whether the rain would move out by then, would I be waiting at the starting line in the rain? I stopped worrying and went to see if there was any coffee. To my surprise, the hotel was opening up their breakfast area for a full breakfast, not just a sack with fruit and granola bar, but more importantly the coffee was made and hot!!

I made it back to the room and discovered an Instagram post with a new race update: “30-Minute Delay.” Both races would be delayed and the schedule for the day would be delayed for 30 minutes. Welp, I had already eaten half of one of my Pop Tarts, and had some coffee. So I scrolled social media and kept checking the radar. It was a great decision at the time for the safety of everyone, setting up aid stations, etc. However, it did mean that runners would be on the course a half hour later in the day.

Just after 5 AM I took the short walk to the bus pickup at the DECC. I was in line and ready to board the school bus. If I had packed a gear bag, I would have needed to drop it before I boarded. The line moved quickly and buses rolled through, and I was seated for the ride to the starting line. I noticed on the way that we drove on the course for a few miles, this was new to me as every other time I have run this we took a road that was not the course. 

I was off the bus at 5:52 AM, about an hour before I would start the race. With the delay, corral 3 would start at 6:50 AM. I passed a volunteer handing out heat sheets. I thought I would sit on the heat sheet  as the pavement was still wet from the rain, and the 100% humidity. I would sit off to the side and just wait. This way I would be off my feet and out of the way.

The corral system is not new, but I feel it was really being enforced or organized this year. It’s a great thing to spread out so many runners, by estimated finishing time. However, I am not sure what went wrong with the crowding in my corral. There were port-o-potties when you first exited the bus, so many people got in those lines immediately. However, word was spread that there were port-o-potties in each corral. I kept walking and approached the organized corral area, a person was checking to make sure people had bibs.

You entered the corrals from the back. The entrances were all separated, corral 3 to the left, corral 2 in the center and corral 1 was on the right. Corrals 1 and 2 were just narrow walkways alongside corral 3, then I guess corral 3 ended and it would have been corral 2 taking up the space with the corral 1 walkway to the front. I entered corral 3 and was immediately stuck, I could not go further ahead. I believe I was stuck in more port-o-pottie lines as there were more bathrooms near the back of the corral. I just wanted to not be stuck in a crowd of people. The port-o-pottie panic was real. I did my best to move up a bit and off to the side. I finally made it to the side of the corral and sat down on my heat sheet. I think there were still about 35 minutes before I would start. With limited phone service, I just sat there and tried to relax and checked out all the different kinds of shoes. 

I have no idea if there was music playing, announcements or the National Anthem. I could hear nothing. I also don’t know if this is because I was still so far back before the speakers. I really wasn’t bothered by any of this, because I knew what to expect. My time would start when I crossed the starting line. I was happy I made it to the starting line, injuries suck! 

The time was nearing 6:50 AM and people were starting to advance forward. I stood up and wrapped my heat sheet on the fencing. I then observed runners with trash bags picking up discarded clothing and filling the trash bag. With the weather that moved through and being close to Lake Superior, it’s normal to wear “throwaway” clothes to the starting line. If clothing is thrown to the side volunteers would pick it up and it’s donated. However, what I saw distracted me enough, why were runners with bibs bagging up clothing? What were they going to do with those bags? Certainly they can’t run with them, and then I was almost at the starting line. I had missed noting if there were more toilets or where the corrals split up. 

Time to run! The morning was now cloudy or overcast, about 60 degrees and very humid. I started with a light jacket and in no time I was down to a tank top. I had no goal, but to make it to the finish line, there’s always a bonus if I beat the full marathon wheelers. 

I don’t know what it is about this course, but the miles always seem to go by so fast. In no time I was at the first balloon that had the mile marker sign. I always try to stick to one side of the road, and for some reason it’s always on the left and it’s always running on the gravel shoulder as much as I can.

I carried SaltStick FastChews and Bonk Breaker chews with me and was going to use the course provided aid as needed. There are plenty of stops on course with water, Powerade, ice and sponges.There was also a stop with Anderson’s Maple Syrup. I never do a great job with sticking to a fueling and hydration plan, but the tools were there. 

Just before mile 3, I ripped into some FastChews and drank some water. The humidity was making the cloudy day feel warm. It wasn’t too cloudy though, there were plenty of views of the lake.

I think it was about this point when some runners said something about feeling like they had been running uphill. I paused to wonder if we were at the same race? The elevation of this race is more flat to me, but it all has to do with where you train. I laughed to myself and kept moving forward. One of my favorite things about running is the people it brings into my life, whether it’s just for seconds on a race course or someone you schedule long runs with. 

I passed a small string trio, some fun signs and my favorite spectator. This spectator has been at the full marathon mile marker 18 for years. They have a sign that is a play on words, or pun and then they are dressed in costume. This year the sign read “Raisin Your Spirits, You Look Grape.” The person was dressed as purple grapes. 

I ran past the “Duluth” sign and had more Saltstick and water. This was also nearing the point that bananas were offered along the course. It’s also the part of the course that you are no longer on old Hwy 61, you enter the neighborhoods. This is a fun section as the neighbors are out with their own aid stations, bands, bubbles, beer, and the famous troll dolls. I have run this course so many times, I don’t really know where too many mile markers are, but rather the things I see along the way.

It was at this point I heard some rumbling in the sky. We had a flyover. I remembered that when the full marathon starts there is a flyover by jets, so the full had started and the jets were flying over the entire course. However, it didn’t end there, they flew by again and then once more. It was like being at an air show.

Once I was through this part, I knew that there was a pickle stop and a watermelon stop. Who doesn’t love some pickles while running? After enjoying these treats there was something new on the course, “the shortcut.” In reality it was not a shortcut at all, it was just a fun thing to do. One of those inflatable, wavy tube things was signaling your attention to run through an inflatable arch. I, of course, made sure to do this. It could have been a disaster though, as this is almost 4 miles from the finish and you had to navigate the curb.

Speaking of about 4 miles from the finish, it was time to conquer Lemon Drop Hill, or the incline over the road. I am happy to report, I ran the whole thing!!! Once at the top I start dreaming of an ice cold Coca Cola and contemplate stopping at the convenience store or nearby McDonald’s. Seriously though, who wouldn’t love a Cola near the end of the race? 

It was time to head into the heart of Duluth. There was the slight down hill, and the passing of the fruit stop, where I picked up a strawberry. From here there’s a right turn up a short hill and then I remember passing the Duluth Running Company. Then it was time for another aid station stop, I needed a sponge to wipe the sweat from my eyes, because the sun was starting to make an appearance. It was after this aid station that the mobile cheer TV was located. A sensor was on the road, and if your timing chip matched up in the system, you had a video message come up on the screen from loved ones. 

The next section is the main street of downtown Duluth, it is usually lined with spectators, spectators that want to cross the course. New this year was a bridge that made this possible without any disruption to the runners. Grandma’s is always changing things up for the best. 

The last aid station was up next and they were utilizing the Hiccup, blue silicone reusable cups. These cups would be reused again and again and again, you just needed to make sure you left the cup at the receptacles after you drank from them. They are a bit heavier than the paper cup, but they’re still flexible to pinch the top for a drink. They also help reduce waste. I believe they were at another location in the early miles of the full marathon.

I always know what to expect with the last mile and a half or so, but if this is your first time running, you think you are sooooooo close to the end. In reality, that last climb over the interstate and all the turns are just the beginning to celebrating another running accomplishment. 

First you turn behind the DECC, then you get to run by the WIlliam A. Irvin (freighter.) Then there is another turn onto a street and a turn through a parking lot and then finally the turn down the final stretch. You know you’re there as there is a balloon archway and metal railings lined with people cheering you on. 

There it was, the finish line arch of my 78th half marathon, I did it!!! In my own Grandma’s tradition, I stop and ask to take a photo with Grandma. She is the best, she always says yes. She is there the entire time the finish line is open; cheering, dancing, giving out high fives. 

Next up was getting my medal. A volunteer handed me my medal and told me I could grab my challenge medal up ahead, or something. I proceeded to walk forward and grabbed a plastic bottle of water. Up next, the finisher shirt. I told the volunteer my size and I had a shirt in hand. There were a lot of MarathonFoto photographers in this area and you could snag a heat sheet. If you kept going there was the post race food and a place to redeem the drink ticket on your bib. The food line was long so I skipped it as I was in search of my Great Grandma’s Challenge medal. I couldn’t find the medal. So I asked someone where they got theirs, which was almost back to where all the medals were handed out. From here I was trying to figure out how to get out of the gated area to get to my hotel. My hotel was soooo close, but I had to walk all the way back to the food area, to then the opposite of the street to go around and then across the bridge of the race course to get back to the hotel. 

I was in a mood, I thought maybe a shower would help the situation. I was soaked with sweat and had just walked a lot of extra steps. To make matters worse, even though I had my hair in a braid, a slight knot situation had started to develop. In the meantime I was also trying to track my husband using the marathon app. 

Ahhhh, a shower and fresh clothes and I was in half marathon zen mode again. I topped off the feeling with a trip to the VIP tent to wait for Josh and friends running the full. I was able to hear the excitement of the full marathon winners coming to the finish line. The tent had chairs and was in the shade. The sun was really starting to heat things up. 

The time was nearing for Josh to finish his race, so I made the trek back across the bridge to the side of the finisher chute with bleachers. I was able to sit in the front row next to another spectator waiting for a family member to finish.  

The tracking app was really close as I was able to spot my husband in the time it predicted. Also, for fun just when I saw him, the person in front of him lost their cookies. So the high five I was going to give him had to be sidestepped. I was able to see him finish, wahoo, go Josh!!!

As Josh meandered through the finisher area, I made the trek back across the course, up and over the bridge one more time to meet him back at the VIP tent. I was hoping he would at least get a cold drink before it closed. It was the only race day thing that didn’t extend the extra 30 minutes. I waited and waited, only to find out he had been inside the tent for a while enjoying some food and drink. We discussed our races and the course, then departed ways as he went to shower and I went to watch marathon finishers. 

This meant I had to cross the course once again, go up and over the bridge. I did it and found a shady spot in the bleachers. I remember checking my phone around 2 PM and while the temperature was only around 70 the humidity was still 90%. Those are tough running conditions with not much shade the last few miles. No matter how many marathons or even 5ks I complete, there is just something about getting to that finish line and I will cheer on as many people as I can.

It was time to close up the finish line and time for a nap!! It had been a long day. 

We were revived and ready for supper. We made the walk down the lakewalk to try a nearby brewery, but the wait time didn’t interest us. So we thought we would take the chance trying to get out of our parking lot and drive up to Fitger’s. I had been thinking about the smoked fish salad I had a year ago. After sneaking into a parking spot, we were immediately seated and my fish salad was on the way. To top off the evening, they had Betty’s Pies for dessert.

Oh, there’s more, we were not done enjoying the evening. We made it back to the hotel and walked over to Bayfront park. The race hosts a concert-like event all weekend as well. The park is a short walk away. This area has drink tents, food trucks and a huge grassy area to enjoy music. If you didn’t redeem your post race drink ticket, you could bring it here. Josh and I ended up with a few extra drink tickets, so we enjoyed a beverage and the music. It turned out to be a really nice evening. However, we were ready to be done for the day, so we cashed in our remaining tickets on sparkling water. I think that is one of my new favorite things, I drank a lot of sparkling water. 

Just like that, the race festivities were over. Ok, maybe we milked it another hour or so as we made sure to take some pictures with our medals and the lighthouse the next morning. It was also cool and humid, we knew that when we got home it would be about 30 degrees warmer. 

We decided to drive home through Wisconsin for something different. This also meant a stop for some smoked fish, wild rice and lots of cheese. By the time we were 30 miles from the lake the temps were already in the 80s. Lake Superior is definitely nature’s air conditioner, well when it’s not humid. 

I am already looking forward to the race weekend 2026. It will be the 50th year of the full marathon. I really hope that I can get my injury under control to run the full marathon. There are parts of the course I miss when I run the half. I will leave you with this pro tip, book your next year’s hotel the minute you check out of your hotel. See you in Duluth next June. Registration opens October 1st!