Marathon Weekend Lodging: Camping at the DECC

One of the most stressful aspects leading up to Grandma’s Marathon races – aside from registration and training – is securing lodging for the weekend.  Questions about hotels and where to stay frequently pop up on the Grandma’s Marathon Facebook page, with many people wondering about the best strategy for reserving a room.  The general advice for securing a room is to book early, get on hotel waitlists, and keep calling around. Rooms often open up as people cancel due to changes in plans or injury.   Another great alternative to staying in a hotel room or a college dorm is to spend the weekend camping at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC). 

This will be my 11th year running one of the Grandma’s Marathon races in June. Originally from south of Duluth, I now live an hour and a half away in northern Wisconsin, so I need to plan ahead for weekend travel and lodging.  Over the past several years, I’ve stayed with family who live nearby or spent the weekend in a hotel.  More recently my family has spent the weekend camping at the DECC.  There are many advantages to staying right on-site, especially if you have a camper and typically spend your summer weekends camping.

How to Reserve:  RV sites at the DECC are available on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved in advance of race weekend.  Both electrical and non-electrical sites are available. When you arrive, signs will be posted to direct you to the check-in area to secure your spot.  My family has found the check-in process to be straightforward and not a source of race weekend stress.

When to Arrive:  Since sites cannot be reserved in advance, it’s best to arrive early to secure a spot. Many people start arriving on Thursday—some even as early as Wednesday. If you need an electrical hookup, keep in mind that those spots tend to fill up faster than non-electrical ones. It’s also important to consider arrival times when the DECC may be more congested, particularly during the William A. Irvin 5K, which has a new start time this year at 1:00 PM on Friday afternoon.  My family typically arrives on Thursday to secure access to electricity, but they also bring a generator in case those sites are unavailable.

Runner Benefits:  RV parking at the DECC is conveniently located near the bus pickup lines for transportation to the starting area, allowing runners to walk to the buses in the morning without the hassle of finding a parking spot in the early hours.  Camping at the DECC is about a half-mile from the finish line, making it a manageable walk after completing your race.  I am not a morning person so staying so close to the bus lines has allowed me those extra few precious minutes in the morning. 

Spectator Benefits:  One of my favorite parts of Grandma’s Marathon is the incredible spectators cheering on the runners.  When staying at the DECC, my family has enjoyed being able to sleep in a bit in the morning while still being close to the runners as they start coming in.  They also like having access to their camper for snacks, meals, chairs, changes of clothes, and all the essentials’ spectators need, like signs and horns. All of the races, including the William A. Irvin 5K, the half, full, and wheelchair races, pass by the DECC, so staying there gives you the perfect vantage point to spectate each event.

Fun For All:  Camping at the DECC puts runners and spectators in the heart of the action, with easy access to the expo, spaghetti dinner, and packet pickup. My family enjoys being able to access the expo at quieter times during the day.  Bayfront Festival Park is also within walking distance, making it easy to participate in all the events on both Friday and Saturday.  We have small children who stay with us all weekend and camping provide them a place to rest when they get tired.  We’re also close to the park, so they can easily walk over to participate in the Whipper Snapper races.  If you participate in the Saturday night party, you can do so without having to worry about a designated driver.  The DECC also places you close to Canal Park, where you can enjoy local dining. My family even had DoorDash delivered right to the parking lot!

Drawbacks:  Of course there are a few things to consider if you camp at the DECC.   Depending on your RV type, you may not be able to easily leave during the weekend. If you have a camper or a 5th wheel, you can disconnect your truck or SUV and explore Duluth. However, if you bring a motorhome, you’ll likely be committed to staying at the DECC for the weekend.  You also need to remember that you’re staying in a public parking lot, so it might be noisy. I brought earplugs to ensure I got a good night’s sleep on Friday. Most runners are quiet on Friday as they’re also trying to rest before race day. However, Saturday evening can get a bit loud with celebrations.

I hope you found this information helpful as you plan your Duluth weekend logistics. This year, my family will have two campers at the DECC, and I’ll be staying in a nearby hotel in Canal Park. It’s truly the best of both worlds—we’ll be close together but still have our own space. And for me, I’ll enjoy a nice warm shower after the race!  Feel free to reach out to me on Instagram if you have any questions. You can also review more information online here: Grandma’s Marathon weekend lodging.   See you in Duluth in June!