GENERAL
Registration Opens – October 1
Price Increases – October 16, January 1, April 1
Bib Transfer Deadline – May 1
Charity Runner Registration Deadline – May 4
Race Packet Delivery Request Deadline – May 20
Registration Ends – June 1 (as space allows)
Transfer to Virtual Race – June 1
Bib # Email – June 16
Our race weekend is typically held on the third full weekend of June (Friday-Sunday). Future race dates for Grandma’s Marathon and the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon are below:
June 21, 2025 | June 20, 2026 | June 19, 2027 | June 17, 2028 | June 16, 2029 | June 22, 2030 | June 21, 2031 | June 19, 2032 | June 18, 2033 | June 17, 2034 | June 16, 2035 | June 21, 2036 | June 20, 2037 | June 19, 2038 | June 18, 2039| June 16, 2040
NOTE: The William A. Irvin 5K is held the day before our marathon and half marathon.
RACE REGISTRATION
Registration for Grandma’s Marathon, the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon, and the William A. Irvin 5K opens each year on October 1 at 7:00 p.m. CT.
Entry fee increases will come on October 16, January 1, and April 1.
Our race(s) are extremely popular and are expected to sell out each year.
The Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon typically reaches its capacity in 3-4 days after registration opens, while it’s expected that Grandma’s Marathon and the William A. Irvin 5K will reach their capacities in December or January.
You will receive an email confirmation immediately after you register.
Bib number and race packet pickup information will be emailed to all registered participants the week of the event.
You can register up to (4) people at the same time by selecting the “Add Additional Participant” button at the bottom of the entry form. Please ensure you have entered information for all the people in your party before completing your registration.
IMPORTANT: If all (or some) of the people you’re registering have a promo code, enter each person’s code in the box titled “Enter Promo Code or Gift Code” when you are completing their section of the entry form.
1. Log in to your Race Roster account HERE.
2. Locate the “2025 Grandma’s Marathon Weekend Races” icon and click “View Registration.”
3. Click the “Edit Registration” button.
4. When your edits are complete, click the “Save” button at the bottom of each screen.
Yes, you may switch your registration to another race (as space allows). Switching between races will not be allowed once a race has reached its capacity or after 11:59 p.m. on June 1.
To switch your registration to another race, please click HERE or call our office at (218) 727-0947.
Participants must be 12 years or older on race day to run either Grandma’s Marathon or the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. There are no minimum age requirements for the William A. Irvin 5K.
ENTRY TRANSFERS
Yes, you may transfer your entry to another person. This action comes with a $26.95 transaction fee, which is to be paid by the person receiving the transferred entry.
IMPORTANT: Absolutely no transfers are allowed after May 1. NO EXCEPTIONS.
- Click HERE to log in to the transfer page.
- Enter the email address of the person you are transferring your entry to, and click the “Send Transfer Request” button.
IMPORTANT: The person receiving your transferred entry will receive an email with an access link to redeem your entry. This person will complete the entry form and pay the current entry fee price plus transfer and processing fees. Once your entry has been transferred to the new person, you will receive a refund from Race Roster within 5 to 10 business days for the entry fee you paid when you registered (less the processing fee).
Once the transfer is complete, your registration becomes inactive and nothing else is required. If you’d like a refund of the products purchased during registration, please call our office at (218) 727-0947. You will receive a refund from Race Roster within 5 to 10 business days for the entry fee you paid when you registered (less the processing fee).
IMPORTANT: Purchased products such as race apparel, spaghetti dinner tickets, photo packages, etc. DO NOT transfer and are not automatically refunded. If you’d like a refund of the products purchased during registration, please call our office at (218) 727-0947.
Grandma’s Marathon is committed to protecting our participants at all stages of the event, including during registration. Our new transfer process should eliminate the strongest potential for scams, but please be aware and vigilant when dealing with strangers online about transferring entries.
IMPORTANT: If you’d like to confirm someone’s registration with the race, please ask them for their name, email address, and phone number and call our office at (218) 727-0947 to verify.
Also, entries are the only item that is transferrable. Other purchased products such as race apparel, spaghetti dinner tickets, photo packages, etc. DO NOT transfer. If you’re purchasing an entry, please select the products you’d like to add at time of registration.
Once the entry transfer has been initiated by the original registrant, you will receive an email from Race Roster with an access link to redeem the entry.
Click on the “Complete Transfer” button in the email and complete the entry form with your information. You will pay the current entry fee price plus transfer and processing fees, and you will receive an email confirmation upon submitting your registration.
The best place to connect with someone about transferring an entry for one of our race weekend events is our online Grandma’s Marathon Bib Transfer Portal on Facebook.
Once you join and are approved, you can post about what you’re trying to accomplish – i.e. transfer an entry or connect with someone who has an entry available. If someone in the group sees your post and would like to connect, they can comment or message you directly.
No, our organization does not keep a wait list.
REFUNDS, DEFERMENTS, & CANCELLATIONS
Entry fees are non-refundable. The only exception to this is for those who are on active military duty and deployed for service during race weekend (a copy of deployment orders is required).
Entry deferments are not permitted under any circumstances.
It is the primary goal of Grandma’s Marathon to ensure a safe event for all involved. We will not expose participants or the community to undue risk because of staging our event. There may be times when we feel it is unsafe to continue with the race(s). While we recognize the aspirations and commitment of those that have entered the race(s), we will make decisions about the race(s) based on the population as a whole. Furthermore, if the community resources are threatened, we will act to protect them from unnecessary stress.
Specifically, when pandemics, weather, or other physical conditions present a danger to participants as a whole, we maintain the right to cancel the race(s). Less threatening conditions could result in an alteration of the course or race length to promote a safer result for the participants. These conditions will be recognized as “an act of God” and will not result in the refunding of race entry fees or future race credits. The staging of a race of this magnitude results in substantial expense prior to the actual race itself. Thus, in the event of a forced cancellation of the event, it is very likely that the financial impact on the race would not be any different than if the race was held without compromise.
The Executive Director, with input from staff, the Medical Director, Board of Directors, and other community partners, will make the final decision regarding the cancellation or alteration of the race(s). Prior to the race(s), race staff will apprise participants of forecasted weather conditions and any course modifications. In the event of a course evacuation, marathon personnel or law enforcement will direct runners to designated shelter areas.
Severe thunderstorms with the threat of lightning that are forecasted to continue throughout the day of the event may result in cancellation of the event for all participants.
In case of severe heat and humidity, the Executive Director will have the authority to either cancel or shorten any of the day’s race(s).
In the event a cancellation or alteration takes place, Grandma’s Marathon will advise participants through various traditional and non-traditional media channels on a timely basis.
LODGING & TRANSPORTATION
A list of area hotels and other lodging options is available HERE. Many hotels do not accept online bookings for Grandma’s Marathon weekend, so we suggest calling the hotel to check availability and secure your room.
Grandma’s Marathon does not keep an updated list of available rooms.
IMPORTANT: Due to the popularity of our race, we encourage participants, spectators, and volunteers to begin looking for lodging as soon as possible.
RV parking is available during race weekend at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC), which is about a 1/2-mile from the finish line area. Please click HERE for reservations and more information.
Area college campus housing is available during Grandma’s Marathon weekend at the following schools:
- University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD)
- College of Saint Scholastica (CSS)
- University of Wisconsin Superior (UWS)
Each college manages their own reservations for campus housing. Typically, reservations will open shortly after the new year. We will list the dates on our website when they’re announced by the individual colleges.
Participants in Grandma’s Marathon and the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon are required to use provided bus transportation to the start line on race day. Pickup locations and times for each race will be announced mid-spring and communicated to participants.
Full marathon participants will also have the option of using provided train transportation to the start line on race day, although space is limited.
There is no provided transportation for participants in the William A. Irvin 5K.
IMPORTANT: The provided transportation to the start line on race day is for participants only, and you must show your official race bib as you board the bus or train. No family or friends will be allowed.
No, individual drop-offs are strictly prohibited for safety reasons. Participants doing so are likely to arrive late to the start line and risk being disqualified from the event.
Buses will run throughout the day from near the finish line and will return participants, as well as their families and friends, to each of the listed bus pickup locations and to select area hotels.
The buses will depart from near the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC), which is approximately 1/2-mile from the finish line.
RACE PACKET PICKUP
Packet pickup will be available on Thursday and Friday of race weekend.
An email with your bib number will be sent the week of the race. Please bring that email – either a printed copy or a digital version on your mobile phone – to pick up your packet on race weekend.
IMPORTANT: There is ABSOLUTELY no race packet pickup on race morning, and all participants must show a photo ID to pick up their race packet. Your ID will be used only to match your first and last name to your registration.
Yes, someone else can pick up your race packet.
To do this, please complete the authorization form (found at the bottom of your bib number email you will receive on race week) and have the selected person bring the printed, authorized confirmation to race packet pickup.
For a $25.00 fee (within the United States only), you can have your race packet shipped to you 10-14 days before race day.
This service is available to Grandma’s Marathon and Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon participants only. It is not available to William A. Irvin 5K or Great Grandma’s Challenge participants.
IMPORTANT: The last day to request to have your packet mailed to you is May 20. Requests received after this date will not be accepted. NO EXCEPTIONS.
If you did not select this service while registering, please call our office at (218) 727-0947 and we will add this service to your account. Please have your credit card information ready.
Bib number emails will only be sent once. If you have lost your email or did not receive it, please bring a photo ID with you to race packet pickup and go to the “Bib Number Lookup Station.”
TRAINING, COMMUNITY, & OTHER NEEDS
Grandma’s Marathon is proud to partner with Essentia Health to provide race day medical and training support to our participants. It’s recommended that all participants, regardless of fitness or experience level, consult a physician with any questions or concerns about participating in our event.
All participants will receive one year of free access to the ASICS Runkeeper Go app as well as comprehensive training plans, designed specifically for the event they’re participating in. Those plans will be sent via email in the late winter to early spring, depending on event.
We also have an official Grandma’s Marathon training group, which meets three times a week locally in the Duluth area in the months leading up to race day (virtual participation in the group is allowed). Click HERE for more information on the training group.
Running with the community can make things easier during those long months of training, so we want to connect as many of our participants as possible.
We’ve created an online, public Facebook group called Grandma’s Marathon Weekend Participants. There, our participants can connect with each other to motivate, support, and celebrate each other in the months leading up to race day.
We welcome all athletes to be part of our race weekend, and we will make every effort to honor every reasonable request for accommodation. Please call our office at (218) 727-0947 or email us at [email protected] and we can discuss your needs.
Yes, participants are able to request lactation or approved medical device support for Grandma’s Marathon or the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon.
We provide resources for approved participants to bring their breast pump or medical device to the start line and we will transport them to the finish line area for pick up. Lactation tents are located at each start line and the finish line for pumping.
IMPORTANT: Grandma’s Marathon is unable to safely transport or store breast milk at this time. We understand the sensitivity of this issue and apologize for the inconvenience.
THE RACECOURSE
Yes, Grandma’s Marathon is a top qualifier each year for the Boston Marathon and each cycle for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. Please keep your official race results email to verify your qualifying time with Boston Marathon and/or USATF race officials.
Grandma’s Marathon and the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon are U.S. Track and Field (USATF)-sanctioned events, part of the World Athletics calendar, and run on USATF-certified courses (current certificates: MN22005DT and MN22006DT).
Grandma’s Marathon is a partner race of the Abbott World Marathon Majors and a qualifying races for the Marathon Tours & Travel Age Group World Rankings.
When you register for the marathon, you will be asked if you would like a free full profile with AbbottWMM for you created for you, to automatically receive your Age Group World Ranking when results are uploaded to AbbottWMM.com. You will also receive free access to MAJORS Magazine and the AbbottWMM Global Run Club.
IMPORTANT: If you have already registered and did not click “Yes” to create a profile but would still like to do so, please call us at (218) 727-0947 to adjust your selection.
Grandma’s Marathon and the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon both feature a point-to-point racecourse with rolling hills and a net downhill elevation.
Grandma’s Marathon starts at 740 feet above sea level (its high point) and finishes at 610 feet above sea level for a net elevation change of -130 feet.
The Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon starts at 615 feet above sea level, reaches a high point of 672 feet above sea level, and finishes at 610 feet above sea level for a net elevation change of -5 feet.
Grandma’s Marathon water and aid stations will be located at Miles 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25. Water and Powerade Ion4 will be provided. Fresh fruit will be available near Miles 19 and 23.5. On-course fuel will be provided, with details to be announced closer to race day.
Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon water and aid stations will be located at Miles 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. Water and Powerade Ion4. Fresh fruit will be available near Miles 6 and 10.5. On-course fuel will be provided, with details to be announced closer to race day.
Grandma’s Marathon and the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon each have experienced pace teams, presented by ASICS, to help keep you on track throughout your race.
Grandma’s Marathon Pace Teams
3:00, 3:10, 3:20, 3:30, 3:40, 3:50, 4:00, 4:05, 4:20, 4:35, 4:50, 5:30, and 6:00
Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Pace Teams
1:30, 1:40, 1:45, 1:50, 1:55, 2:00, 2:05, 2:10, 2:15, 2:20, 2:30, and 2:45
IMPORTANT: There are no pace teams available for the William A. Irvin 5K.
Participants will be separated into specific start corrals based on their anticipated goal finish time submitted during registration. Corral assignments and other specifics about the start process will be emailed in late spring.
IMPORTANT: Participants will be allowed to move backward in the start corrals, but not forward.
RACE RULES
You must be officially registered and have an official race bib to participate in any of the Grandma’s Marathon weekend events. Running under another person’s name is strictly prohibited and will result in your disqualification and jeopardize your participation in future Grandma’s Marathon events.
Participants in Grandma’s Marathon and the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon will receive an official, clear plastic bag at race packet pickup. IMPORTANT: Unofficial gear bags, including backpacks, are not permitted and will not be accepted.
For Grandma’s Marathon, participants will drop their gear bags near the start corral entrance. Gear bags will not be permitted in the start corral.
For the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon, participants will drop their gear bags at the bus loading location prior to departing for the start line. Gear bags will not be permitted on the buses or accepted in the start line area.
No gear bag service is available for the William A. Irvin 5K.
IMPORTANT: Do not leave valuables in your gear bag. Race officials are not responsible for any lost items. All bags are subject to inspection and should not be left unattended.
Hydration vests with front-worn water bottles, fuel belts or hand-held water bottles may be used by runners. They must not have large pockets or space for water bladders.
Grandma’s Marathon does not allow backpacks or rear hydration packs to be worn during the event or brought into the start areas/on race transportation.
Participants are allowed to use headphones and similar devices during our race weekend events, but they do so at their own risk.
We believe your race experience will be greatly enhanced by having complete use of all your senses. Running headphone-free allows opportunities to develop camaraderie with your fellow runners and to enjoy the various entertainment acts lining the course.
No automobiles, bicycles, baby joggers, roller skis, inline skates, handcycles, hand-cranked wheelchairs, pets, or unofficial participants are allowed on the racecourse.
RACE APPAREL
Yes, if you are registered for one of our races you can still order apparel HERE. Sizes and items may be limited.
If you are not a registered participant, you can purchase Grandma’s Marathon merchandise and apparel HERE. NOTE: These items may differ from what is available to registered participants, depending on time of year and availability.
Yes, although sizes and items may be limited. Please call us at (218) 727-0947 or email us at [email protected] and we will help you make the exchange.
Yes, we offer various apparel and merchandise options throughout the year at grandmasmarathonstore.com.
On race weekend, our official merchandiser Advantage Emblem will have Grandma’s Marathon merchandise and apparel for sale at the Essentia Health Fitness Expo.
COMMUNICATION
Our staff works year-round on the planning of our race weekend, but many of the details are not finalized until mid- to late-spring. Registered participants will receive regular email communication, including a “Ready to Run” series in the 5-6 weeks leading up to race day that will outline all the necessary information.
Our website grandmasmarathon.com will also be updated throughout the year as details for race weekend are finalized.
Please call our office at (218) 727-0947 or email us at [email protected] and we will help correct this issue.
SPECTATOR INFORMATION
While our racecourse provides plenty of natural beauty along the north shore of Lake Superior, the areas for spectators are limited in the early miles of both Grandma’s Marathon and the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon.
It’s recommended that spectators choose a location within the Duluth city limits to watch on race day. Some of the most popular and accessible viewing locations are detailed HERE.
One of the best ways on race day to keep track of your favorite runners is by using the live tracking feature on our Grandma’s Marathon mobile app, powered by ASICS.
Available on Apple and Android devices, the live tracking will show you exactly where your family and friends are on the course so you can be sure not to miss them as the pass by.
NOTE: The Grandma’s Marathon mobile app is available for download at any time, but the live tracking feature will not be accessible until race morning. Because of limited cell coverage in some remote areas of the racecourse, there may be some delays in tracking during portions of the race.
VIRTUAL RACES
Yes, you can switch to the virtual version of your race by calling our office at (218) 727-0947.
IMPORTANT: The deadline to switch to a virtual race is June 1. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Virtual participants will recieve an email the week of the in-person event (in June) with further information. While your virtual race can be completed at anytime, the window to submit your results will be open from the day of the in-person event until July 5.
Please call our office at (218) 727-0947 or email us at [email protected] with any questions about submitting your virtual race result.
The available window to submit your virtual race result is from the in-person race date until July 5. Instructions on how to report your virtual results will be sent via email in early- to mid-June.