Run the point.
Enjoy a summer day running on Duluth’s beautiful Park Point in the oldest road race in Northern Minnesota.
Grandma’s Marathon, the City of Duluth and our Medical Director have worked together to formulate a plan for the Park Point 5-Miler/2-Mile Walk that will allow the event to proceed safely and within the COVID-19 guidelines set forth by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
Park Point 5-Miler
Date: Thursday, July 16, 2020
Start Time: (3) three-hour time segments: Sunrise (6:00-9:00am), Midday (11:00am-2:00pm) and Twilight (4:00-7:00pm).
Location: End of Park Point, Duluth, Minnesota
Entry Fee (non-refundable): $30 entry fee; $10 for kids ages 6 to 14
Registration:
- In-Person Option: Online registration for the In-Person Option closed at 11:59pm on July 13.
- In-Person Option: Late Registration for the In-Person Option from 10am – 7pm on Tuesday, July 14 and Wednesday, July 15 at the Grandma’s Marathon office (351 Canal Park Drive).
- Virtual Option: Online registration for the Virtual Option closes at 11:59pm on July 16.
Register Previously Registered Participants Results
With safety plans now in place, we are excited to offer the following options for you to complete the 2020 Park Point 5-Miler/2-Mile Walk!
- IN-PERSON OPTION: We will be hosting a chip timed, in-person version of the Park Point 5-Miler/2-Mile Walk on Thursday, July 16, 2020. In order to do so safely and in accordance with the MDH Guidelines, we will be offering (3) three-hour time blocks (Sunrise, Midday and Twilight) throughout the day that will each include 10 waves of up to 25 people. Plan accordingly with your family members and friends if you would like to be in the same wave as you will not be able to switch to a different wave after July 11.
- VIRTUAL OPTION: With this option, you may complete the Park Point 5-Miler/2-Mile Walk at the time and location of your choice during the timeframe of July 13 – 17. If you select this option, a link to report your finishing time on our results web site will be emailed to you by July 13.
- If you were already registered for the event prior to July 3, please follow these instructions carefully!
Race Course Map Map of Event Area Map of Start Area
SAFETY MEASURES & PROCEDURES:
Grandma’s Marathon is committed to providing safe and healthy events at all times. During the COVID-19 pandemic we are implementing extra precautions, which will require full cooperation among our participants, volunteers and staff. We ask that you adhere to the following safety measures, requirements and guidelines during your participation to ensure the continuation of in-person running event options. Please note: there will be no free kids dashes available this year.
Participant Swag:
Participants in the 5-Miler/2-Mile Walk will receive a commemorative Park Point 5-Miler t-shirt, an eco-friendly tote bag and a race wrap.
Race packet pickup & late registration
Socially-distanced Race Packet and Gear Pick-up for all In-Person Participants and for Virtual Participants who have chosen this option will be available during the following days/times:
TUESDAY, JULY 14:
10 a.m. – 7 p.m. at the Grandma’s Marathon Office (351 Canal Park Drive)
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15:
10 a.m. – 7 p.m. at the Grandma’s Marathon Office (351 Canal Park Drive)
THURSDAY, JULY 16 (Race Day):
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Grandma’s Marathon Office (351 Canal Park Drive)
- Complimentary 15 minute parking is available at the Inn On Lake Superior directly across the street from the Grandma’s Marathon Office.
- If you are participating in the Virtual option and request to have your gear shipped to you, these items will be sent by July 16.
- KP Challenge jackets will be available to pick-up at Race Packet Pick-up, or will be shipped to Virtual Race Participants who select this option.
The 49th annual Park Point 5-Miler starts near the Park Point Pavilion in Duluth and participants run down Minnesota Avenue before finishing back near the Pavilion. A 2-mile walk will accompany the 5-mile run. Welcome to the 3rd of 3 KP Challenge races!All net proceeds from the Park Point 5-Miler benefit the Young Athletes Foundation (YAF). The YAF was developed by Grandma’s Marathon in 1990 to assist with the promotion and development of healthy and active lifestyles for youth throughout Carlton, Cook, Douglas, Lake and St. Louis Counties.
Traffic & Travel Time
There will be no road closures for the event this year and two-way vehicle traffic will be able to use Minnesota Avenue all day.
In past years, Minnesota Avenue beginning near the Sky Harbor Aiport up to 24th Street has been closed to traffic. This year, the new wave start plan will allow the participants to spread out in a way that traffic will not be affected and vehicles will be able to drive in and out of the park during the race. Delineators & caution tape will be utilized for runner/vehicle separation, and participants will remain in the Northbound/Lakeside parking lane (bike lane) both inbound & outbound of the park for the event.
We encourage you to plan extra travel time into your schedule on race day due to the increased use of the Aerial Lift Bridge during the summer and traffic on Park Point. The Aerial Lift Bridge goes up on the hour and half hour.
Course Records
Steve Hoag (men’s record) — 24:15.5 — set in 1975
Jen Houck (women’s record) — 27:50 — set in 2010
The Park Point 5-Miler & 2-Mile Walk is still on as scheduled for July 16, 2020. However, due to the rapidly changing circumstances surrounding COVID-19, it is important to understand that scheduling changes could occur, including canceling the race. In the event we need to cancel, we will offer the opportunity for all registrants to complete the race Virtually – whenever and wherever they choose – and still earn their race swag!