RACE REGISTRATION & TRANSFERS
You will receive an email confirmation immediately after you register. You may also check HERE and search online for your registration. Bib number and race packet pickup information for Grandma’s Marathon, the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon, and the William A. Irvin 5K will be emailed to all registered participants in early June.
To edit your registration information, please use the following steps:
1. Log onto Race Roster. Sign in to the Race Roster account you created and/or used when you registered.
2. Click on “Recent Registrations” at the top of the page.
3. Click on the box that says “Grandma’s Marathon Weekend Races.”
4. Click the “Edit Registration” button.
5. Edit your information and click “Submit.”
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.
Yes, you may switch your registration from one race to another. However, once a race has reached its capacity, no one may transfer into it.
IMPORTANT: Our Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon is extremely popular and expected each year to fill quickly.
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. Absolutely NO transfers are allowed after May 1. No exceptions.
To transfer your entry, please use your Race Roster account. Once logged in, select the “Transfer” button on the left side dashboard and follow the prompts. IMPORTANT: This is the ONLY authorized way to transfer your entry to another person. Any other form of transfer or running with another person’s bib has serious repercussions outlined HERE. You are responsible for setting the cost of your bib and arranging payment for the entry with the person you are transferring it to.
Grandma’s Marathon does have Facebook group for those looking to buy and sell bibs. You can find it HERE.
You can register yourself and up to three (3) other 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.
If all (or some) of the people you’re registering have a discount code, enter each person’s code in the box titled “Enter Promo Code, Charity Code, or Gift Code” when you are completing their section of the entry form.
No. Only registered participants, volunteers, and race officials are allowed on the racecourse during any of our Grandma’s Marathon weekend events. If you do not have an official race bib, volunteer T-shirt, or race credential you will be asked to leave the racecourse immediately. IMPORTANT: Attempting to participate in any of the Grandma’s Marathon weekend races without an official race bib may have serious repercussions outlined HERE
Grandma’s Marathon and the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon are always held the third full weekend of June. Future race dates can be found below:
June 22, 2024 | 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 always held the evening prior to the marathon and half marathon.
REFUNDS, DEFERMENTS, & CANCELLATIONS
Entry deferments are not permitted under any circumstances.
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).
SWITCH TO A VIRTUAL RACE
If you are unable to join us on race weekend but would still like to run your race, you may switch your registration to the virtual event. To do this, log in to your Race Roster account, select the “Transfer to a New Sub-Event” icon, and follow the prompts. You will be charged a $2.13 transaction fee. IMPORTANT: The deadline to switch to a virtual event is June 1.
TRANSFER YOUR ENTRY
If you are unable to join us on race weekend, you are allowed to transfer your entry. This action comes with a $26.95 transaction fee, which is to be paid by the person receiving the transferred entry. IMPORTANT: The transfer option will become available on November 1, and absolutely NO transfers are allowed after May 1.
To transfer your entry, please use your Race Roster account. Once logged in, select the “Transfer” button on the left side dashboard and follow the prompts. IMPORTANT: This is the ONLY authorized way to transfer your entry to another person. Any other form of transfer or running with another person’s bib has serious repercussions outlined HERE. You are responsible for setting the cost of your bib and arranging payment for the entry with the person you are transferring it to.
Grandma’s Marathon does have Facebook group for those looking to buy and sell bibs. You can find it HERE.
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 as a whole to undue risk as a result 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 participation 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 more safe 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 Medical Director, Executive Director, and Chairperson of the Board of Directors will decide by majority vote regarding the cancellation or alteration of the race(s). Prior to the race(s), the Medical Director will apprise the runners of weather conditions and advise on how to adjust to them, and the Executive Director will describe any course modifications. In the event of a course evacuation, marathon personnel or city of Duluth police will direct runners to designated shelter areas to await transport to the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC).
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 Medical Director, Executive Director, and Board of Directors Chairperson will have the authority to either cancel or shorten any of the day’s race(s). If changing the distance of a race, the Executive Director, Medical Director, and Board of Directors Chairperson will make the decision no later than 4:30 p.m. on Thursday of race week.
In the event that a cancellation or alteration will take place, Grandma’s Marathon will advise participants through various traditional and non-traditional media channels on a timely basis.
RACECOURSE DETAILS & LOGISTICS
Yes, Grandma’s Marathon is a top qualifier each year for the Boston Marathon and each cycle for the U.S. Olympic Trials. Please keep your official race results email to verify your qualifying time with Boston Marathon and/or USATF race officials.
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.
IMPORTANT: Hydration vests and fuel belts are allowed on the course, but only if that is their primary purpose. Backpacks or vests with several other pockets will not be permitted.
We are committed to providing the safest and most positive race day experience possible, and our time limits are set to ensure participants are protected from vehicular traffic and have the aid station support they need to successfully complete the race.
IMPORTANT: Anyone choosing to continue after the day’s final time limit will be required to use the sidewalks and follow all pedestrian/traffic laws. Half marathoners who are on-course past the 3-hour time limit will be asked to move to the side of the road to make way for oncoming marathoners.
Grandma’s Marathon Time Limit: 7 hours (16:00/mile pace)
Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Time Limit: 3 hours (14:00/mile pace)
William A. Irvin 5K Time Limit: 1 hour (20:00/mile pace)
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 TEAM TIMES
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 TEAM TIMES
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.
PACKET PICKUP & COMMUNICATION
Please call our office at (218) 727-0947 or email us at [email protected] and we will help correct this issue.
An email with your bib number will be sent in early June. 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.
Bib number emails will only be sent once, typically in early June. 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.”
For a $25.00 fee (within the United States only), you can have your race packet delivered to you 10-14 days before race day. 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 number ready. You can also mail a letter of request with a check to the following address:
Grandma’s Marathon
PO Box 16234
Duluth, MN 55816
You may also have someone else pick up your race packet for you. To do this, please complete the authorization form (found at the bottom of your bib number email, typically sent in early June) and have the selected person bring the printed, authorized confirmation to race packet pickup.
TRANSPORTATION & LODGING
No, there is no parking at the starting line of either Grandma’s Marathon or the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. Each participant is required to use the provided bus or train transportation to the starting line. NO EXCEPTIONS. For more specific information about race day transportation, please click HERE.
IMPORTANT: These options are for registered participants only, and you must have your official race bib visible to board the bus or train. No spectators or coaches are allowed.
Because of the popularity of our race, we encourage participants, spectators, and volunteers to begin looking for lodging as soon as possible. Different accommodations, such as campus housing, do come available throughout the year.
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. A list of area hotels and other lodging options is available HERE.
RACE MERCHANDISE
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.
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.