Volunteer
World Class Event, Small Town Support
We asked our runners, and we agree with them — Grandma’s Marathon has the most compassionate and energizing community of volunteers! Every year, our small group of communities hosts more than 20,000 participants on race weekend, and we certainly couldn’t take care of them without our volunteers’ help.
Simply put, Grandma’s Marathon is a world-class event with small-town charm because of our volunteers! There’s a reason our race has been around for more than four decades and has grown into one of the largest marathons in the country. That reason is YOU!
Sign up to get email updates about volunteering for Grandma's Marathon 2023!
People from all around the world choose to come to Duluth each June because they know that its different from other major marathons. Many runners comment that on race day it feels like the whole town comes out to cheer them on. Our Volunteers make all the difference, and for that we are eternally grateful.
Anyone interested in volunteering is welcome to join our G-Team Facebook Group to stay up-to-date on upcoming opportunities!
Volunteer registration for the 2023 Grandma’s Marathon weekend is now open.
KEY AREAS IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERS
- Race Packet Pickup (Thursday & Friday)
- William A. Irvin 5K (Friday)
- Water Stations (Saturday)
- Course Marshals (Saturday)
- Finish Line Runner Support (Saturday)
- Medical Tents (Saturday)
A full list of volunteer opportunities is available on the volunteer sign-up page!
Volunteer Perks
- 2023 Volunteer T-Shirt
- 2 Drink tickets to be redeemed at the post-race party at Bayfront Festival Park
- A pair of Fitsoks
- Eternal gratitude from 20,000 of your new best friends
- Coupons to local businesses
- Invitation to Volunteer Appreciation Party the week after the race at a Duluth Huskies Game
Volunteer Groups
*New this year* Groups with 15 or more volunteers will be entered for a chance to win one of three $1,000 “golden tickets” for a donation to a non-profit organization of the group’s choosing. Volunteers should indicate they are a part of the group during the sign up process. If you would like to participate but your group is not listed online, please email [email protected] to be added to the program.
Volunteering is even more fun with your friends, family, coworkers, or teammates. If you are interested in volunteering in a group of 10 or more, please reach out to our Program Director Alivia via email at [email protected] She can help set up a group sign up.
Thank You to our 2022 Grandma’s Marathon Volunteer Groups!
Key Volunteer Positions
Grandma’s Marathon is lucky to have a dedicated team of key volunteers and volunteer captains who commit to making our race weekend a success. Our volunteer captains and other key volunteers are responsible for many elements of the event, including overseeing our 15 water stations, runner and elite athlete hospitality, planning of the William A. Irvin 5K, working with course marshals, and much more.
If you are an organized individual who enjoys helping others and is also passionate about Grandma’s Marathon and committed to putting on a world-class event, please send an email to Program Director Alivia Nelson at [email protected] or call our office at (218) 727-0947. You can see the current openings here.
Interested in Volunteering Year Round?
Grandma’s Marathon is also involved with several other events throughout the year in partnership with the Young Athletes Foundation (YAF), the charitable arm of our organization.
If you are interested in volunteer opportunities or in any way being involved with the YAF, please click HERE to learn more about how you can help.
