Shuttle Buses
Grandma’s Marathon is unique in many ways, one of which is the way we transport our participants to the start line.
IMPORTANT: Using official transportation is the ONLY way to guarantee arriving at the start line on time. For the safety of our participants and volunteers, dropoffs at the start line are prohibited.
All Grandma’s Marathon and Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon participants will have the option to ride a shuttle bus to their respective start line. NOTE: Masks or face coverings will be required while on the bus, and each bus will be limited to 35 riders.
Shuttle buses to the start line(s) will depart Saturday morning for participants only from the following locations:
| Pickup Locations | Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon | Grandma’s Marathon |
| DECC (Main Parking Lot) | 4:45-5:30 a.m. | 6:30-7:15 a.m. |
| UMD Campus (Kirby Drive) | 4:45-5:30 a.m. | 6:30-7:15 a.m. |
| Miller Hill Mall (near Dick’s Sporting Goods) | 4:45-5:30 a.m. | 6:30-7:15 a.m. |
| Proctor (Best Western Plus-Spirit Mountain) | 4:45-5:15 a.m. | 6:30-7:00 a.m. |
| Superior (Bong Historical Center) | 4:45-5:30 a.m. | 6:30-7:15 a.m. |
| Two Harbors (Super One Foods) | 5:00-5:30 a.m. | 6:45-7:30 a.m. |
Participants must have their bib number visible to board a shuttle bus on race morning. If you plan on running competitively or at a faster pace, please plan on arriving early to your chosen busing location. If you plan on running at a slower pace, please plan on arriving toward the end of the departure window at your chosen busing location.
NOTE: The DECC and Miller Hill Mall are traditionally our busiest shuttle bus locations. Please allow yourself extra time if planning to use one of these locations on race morning.
Gear bags and other backpacks will not be allowed on the shuttle buses for the 2021 race weekend. Participants who want clothes and other items available to them may drop off a gear bag at the finish line in advance of boarding a bus or train to the start line.
Return Shuttle Buses
Return shuttle bus service will also be provided on race day and is open to participants, family, and friends. NOTE: Masks or face coverings will be required while on the bus, and each bus will be limited to 35 riders.
Return buses will be located in the Bayfront Festival Park parking lot and will load continuously throughout race day from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Buses will be marked as shown below and return riders to any of the listed locations:
| Buses Marked | Return Locations |
| UMD / CSS | University of Minnesota Duluth, St. Scholastica |
| Miller Hill Mall | Miller Hill Mall |
| West Duluth / Proctor / Spirit Mountain | Best Western Plus-Spirit Mountain, Motel 6, Comfort Inn-West, Super 8, AmericInn, America’s Best Value Inn-Spirit Mountain |
| Edgewater / Fitger’s | Edgewater Hotel, Fitger’s Inn, Days Inn Lakewalk, Sheraton Hotel |
| Superior | Bong Historical Center, UW-Superior, Superior Inn, Best Western-Bridgeview, Holiday Inn Express, Barker’s Island Inn, Hampton Inn |
| Two Harbors (will return on the hour) | Super One Foods, Superior Shores Resort, Country Inn, Larsmont Cottages, AmericInn |
North Shore Scenic Railroad
For a truly unique and authentic Duluth experience, you can also take the North Shore Scenic Railroad to the starting line of Grandma’s Marathon!
The train loads in front of the Duluth Entertainment & Convention Center (DECC) parking ramp on Railroad Street and will take you on a beautiful journey to the start of your race.
The North Shore Scenic Railroad travels to the Grandma’s Marathon start line only. Participants interested in taking the train should arrive at the DECC’s main parking lot between 5:30 a.m. and 6:10 a.m. on race morning. The train has limited space and is operated on a first-come, first-served basis.