Grandma’s Marathon is committed to ensuring our events, programs, and services are accessible to all participants, volunteers, vendors, spectators, and community members. Our intention is that organization adhere to the principles of social equity and inclusion and remain open, welcoming, safe, and accessible for all who participate.
We will provide reasonable accommodation for individuals with permanent physical, intellectual, visual, auditory, or sensory impairments. If you require an accommodation, please contact Event Operations Manager Erin Hamrick via email at [email protected] or via phone at (218) 727-0947.
NOTE: If you need accommodation for Grandma’s Marathon weekend, you must indicate your need on your registration form or contact us directly by May 15.
PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENTS
Participants with physical and/or mobility impairments are eligible to participate in either our pushrim wheelchair division or as part of a duo team.
Pushrim Wheelchair Division
The pushrim wheelchair division is included in the marathon only and will start five minutes ahead of the men’s elite wave. NOTE: There is no wheelchair division in the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon.
For safety reasons, pushrim wheelchair participants must use a racing chair. A day chair may be used only if fitted with an attachment such as a FreeWheel. All wheelchair participants must always wear a helmet.
Participants wishing to use a wheelchair in the William A. Irvin 5K should contact Event Operations Manager Erin Hamrick via email at [email protected] or via phone at (218) 727-0947.
Duo Teams
A duo team must be comprised of one athlete with an eligible impairment being pushed by one to four able-bodied participants. Duo teams can compete in either the marathon or half marathon and will receive an early start.
All duo teams must use a specialized racing wheelchair. Through a partnership with myTEAM TRIUMPH-Minnesota, our organization may assist participants who do not have access to an eligible chair.
Duo teams wishing to participate in the William A. Irvin 5K should contact Event Operations Manager Erin Hamrick at [email protected] or via phone at (218) 727-0947.
Other Mobility Impairments
Participants with mobility impairments who are entered into the general field may request additional accommodations ahead of race day. These participants should contact Event Operations Manager Erin Hamrick via email at [email protected] or via phone at (218) 727-0947.
VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS
Participants with visual impairments are eligible to have a guide runner to assist with their race, if needed. Upon request, a complimentary entry will be provided for guide runners. All guide runners must be registered by May 1.
One guide runner is allowed per athlete, and they must complete the entire race with the participant they are supporting. NOTE: Participants are encouraged to recruit their own guide runner, as Grandma’s Marathon does not actively recruit for this role.
Upon request, an additional bib stating “Blind Runner” or “Guide Runner” can be provided to affix to the athlete’s back. Any athlete that selects support for visual impairments during registration will receive a “Blind Runner” bib in their race packet. These bibs are optional and are not required to be worn during the event.
AUDITORY IMPAIRMENTS
Both informational and directional signage is located at the start lines, on the racecourse, at the finish line, and throughout other race weekend locations. All mile markers on the racecourse are indicated by balloons.
Videos played during the race weekend will contain captioning. American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters will be available at the start lines.
Participants with auditory impairments are eligible to have a guide runner to assist with their race if needed. Upon request, a complimentary entry will be provided for guide runners. All guide runners must be registered by May 1.
One guide runner is allowed per athlete, and they must complete the entire race with the participant they are supporting. NOTE: Participants are encouraged to recruit their own guide runner, as Grandma’s Marathon does not actively recruit for this role.
Upon request, an additional bib stating “Deaf Runner” or “Guide Runner” can be provided to affix to the athlete’s back. Any athlete that selects support for auditory impairments during registration will receive a “Deaf Runner” bib in their race packet. These bibs are optional and are not required to be worn during the event.
Any participants, volunteers, or spectators with additional requests can contact Event Operations Manager Erin Hamrick via email at [email protected] or via phone (218) 727-0947.
COGNITIVE & SENSORY IMPAIRMENTS/SENSITIVITIES
Race weekend areas that will, at times, include excessive crowd congestion, noise, and bright, flashing lights include but are not limited to the Essentia Health Fitness Expo, packet pickup, the start and finish lines, and Bayfront Festival Park.
NOTE: There will be a military jet flyover planned at the start of the full marathon. At the start and finish areas of all races, there will be speakers playing both music and announcements.
If looking for less congested and busy times at the following locations, we recommend the following:
- Race Packet Pickup
- Thursday | 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Friday | 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Essentia Health Fitness Expo
- Thursday | 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Michlina’s All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti Dinner
- Friday | 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Bayfront Festival Park
- Friday | 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday | 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING
Any participants, volunteers, or spectators wanting to request a language interpreter can contact us via email at [email protected].
LACTATION SUPPORT & MEDICAL NEEDS
Medical Devices & Lactation Supplies Transport
Grandma’s Marathon offers transportation of medical devices and lactation supplies from start line to finish line for Grandma’s Marathon and the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon.
To request this service or for more information, please complete this form by May 15. For more information, please contact Event Operations Manager Erin Hamrick via email at [email protected] or via phone at (218) 727-0947.
Lactation Support
On race day, a designated lactation tent will be available for athletes and volunteers at the start line and the finish line of Grandma’s Marathon and the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. Tents will have tables and chairs, and limited power will be available.
It’s recommended that any participants planning to utilize the lactation tent at the start line get on an early shuttle bus. to the start line
Expressed breast milk may be transported from either start line to the finish line and must be in a sealed container. Any participant wishing to transport expressed milk must complete this form to receive a designated gear bag for transportation.
Grandma’s Marathon does not take responsibility for maintaining the temperature of any expressed milk and is not liable for any spills or mishaps during transportation. We suggest using a small soft-sided cooler (like a lunch box) or a thermos to help with temperature control.
We kindly ask that any discarded breast milk be disposed of into the designated container.
Dietary Restrictions
Water and Powerade Ion4 (Mountain Berry Blast) will be provided to participants on the racecourse and at the finish line. Fresh fruit will be provided near Miles 19 and 23.5 of the full marathon (Miles 6 and 10.5 of the half marathon).
NOTE: There will be several unofficial food and drink items available to participants on the racecourse. These items are often brought and prepared by community members, and they are distributed outside the official water/aid station locations managed by Grandma’s Marathon and our volunteers.
Fresh fruit and chips are among the items distributed to participants in the secure finish area following the race.
Vegetarian and gluten-free sandwiches are available to volunteers in the finish line area volunteer tent, as are fresh fruit and chips.
The Michelina’s All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti Dinner offers gluten-free pasta, upon request.
Non-alcoholic beverages, including N/A beers, are available at Bayfront Festival Park. Food at the park is provided by outside food truck vendors, so available dietary options may vary year-to-year.
RACE WEEKEND LOCATIONS
Grandma’s Marathon & Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon
Participant Transportation
The buses to the start line(s) will be full, and single participants will be asked to share a double seat. Please listen for announcements while on the bus, and wait for a staff member or volunteer to direct you to deboard once you’ve arrived at the start line.
Not all the buses used for participant transportation are equipped with air conditioning. Animals are not allowed on the buses.
If you require handicapped accessible transportation to the start line of your race, please contact Event Operations Manager Erin Hamrick via email at [email protected]or via phone at (218) 727-0947.
Start Line
Please expect and plan for congestion and long lines at the start line. There will be speakers playing music and announcements – if noise is a sensory issue, please plan to bring ear plugs to use until after the race has started. NOTE: There will be a planned military jet flyover at the start of the full marathon.
Bathrooms
There will be portable toilets, including handicapped accessible units, available to participants at the start line. Please plan for long lines at these toilets prior to the start of the race. Portable toilets are available at each aid/water station located along the racecourse.
The Racecourse
Miles for Grandma’s Marathon are marked by yellow balloons, and miles for the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon are marked by light blue balloons.
Aid/water stations and medical tent locations along the racecourse are marked by signage. There will be areas of the racecourse with live music or loudspeakers and stretches with lots of spectator noise, so please be aware if noise is a sensory issue.
Most popular viewing areas along the Grandma’s Marathon racecourse, listed in detail on the Spectator Information page, are handicapped-accessible, though some will have limited parking available. If you have specific questions, please contact Event Operations Manager Erin Hamrick via email at [email protected]
Finish Line
Please expect and plan for congestion and crowds at the finish line, especially in the peak finish times of the half marathon (7:45-8:45am) and marathon (11:30am-1:00pm). Participants and spectators should plan for longer than usual travel time in this area throughout the day.
The finish line area is handicapped accessible, but please be prepared that large crowds and congestion may make it difficult to navigate. A portion of the west side of the finish line is impassable for wheelchairs due to a deck with stairs at Little Angie’s Cantina & Grill.
To cross the secure racecourse in the finish line area, please use crosswalks near Canal Park Lodge (250 Canal Park Drive) or the wheelchair-accessible gate located immediately after the finish line structure.
Accessible viewing space is available away from the immediate finish area at any of the spectator bleachers — three require $10 tickets, one is free — or on the east side of the finish line (alongside the hotels bordering Lake Superior).
If you need help in navigating your path in the finish area, please contact Event Operations Manager Erin Hamrick via email at [email protected]or visit one of our Information Centers on race weekend.
There will be speakers playing music and announcements, so please be aware if noise is a sensory issue.
Handicapped accessible parking is available near the finish line area on the street and in select lots, but those spots are limited and may be full. Handicapped accessible parking at the DECC parking ramp, which is located 1/2-mile from the finish line, is available for $10 per day. A parking map of the DECC campus is available HERE.
William A. Irvin 5K
The Racecourse
There is no official wheelchair or adaptive field included in the William A. Irvin 5K. If you are an adaptive athlete and would like to participate, please contact Event Operations Manager Erin Hamrick via email at [email protected] or via phone at (218) 727-0947 prior to the event so proper accommodations can be made.
Parking
There is handicapped accessible parking available near Entrances A & B at the DECC (near the start line) and at Bayfront Festival Park (near the finish line), available for $10 per day. A parking map of the DECC campus is available HERE.
Bathrooms
There are handicapped accessible bathrooms available throughout the DECC campus, including in Pioneer Hall and near the Lake Superior Ballroom. A full facility map of the DECC campus is available HERE.
There will be two banks of portable toilets available at Bayfront Festival Park, each with a limited number of handicapped accessible units. The south bank (closest to Pier B Hotel) is the closest to the park’s paved path.
Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC)
Accessible Entrances
Both Entrance A & B are wheelchair accessible. It’s recommended to use Entrance A to access the Essentia Health Fitness Expo and race packet pickup areas (Pioneer Hall, Paulucci Hall, and DECC Arena).
To access the Michelina’s All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti Dinner (Lake Superior Ballroom), it’s recommended to use Entrance B and use nearby elevators to access the second floor.
Accessible Parking
There is handicapped accessible parking available near Entrances A & B at the DECC, available for $10 per day. A parking map of the DECC campus is available HERE.
Accessible Bathrooms
There are handicapped accessible bathrooms available throughout the DECC campus, including in Pioneer Hall and near the Lake Superior Ballroom. A full facility map of the DECC campus is available HERE.
Other Accommodations
Service dogs and animals are allowed in the DECC facility. Air conditioning is available throughout the campus, although the building can still be warm at peak times throughout the weekend.
Bayfront Festival Park
There can be large crowds throughout the weekend at Bayfront Festival Park, especially on Saturday evening and night. There will be loud music playing from 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Friday and all day Saturday, so please be aware if noise is a sensory issue.
Parking
There is handicapped accessible parking available at Bayfront Festival Park, available for $10 per day.
Entrances & Navigation
Bayfront Festival Park is wheelchair accessible at either entrance, either the main entrance near the parking lot or the lakeside entrance near the Great Lakes Aquarium.
A paved path circles the outside of the park, but the inner portion of the park is grass and has a medium to large incline into the bowl near the main stage. Wheelchairs are asked to use caution in this area, especially during times of wet weather when the ground may be softer than normal.
Bathrooms
There will be two banks of portable toilets available at Bayfront Festival Park, each with a limited number of handicapped accessible units. The south bank (closest to Pier B Hotel) is the closest to the park’s paved path.
Whipper Snapper Races
The kids’ races are one of the most congested points at Bayfront Festival Park during race weekend. Please plan for longer than usual travel time and allow extra time for registration.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
The Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) offers accessible public transportation throughout the city of Duluth and some of the surrounding communities. Those interested can use the DTA Trip Planner to help create and guide their route during race weekend.