Add More Meaning to Your Miles

At Grandma’s Marathon, we believe in the power of transformation. As an individual, you will embark on an incredible journey that starts the day you register and continues until the moment you cross the finish line.

Our Charity Partners program offers you a chance to share that life-changing experience with others. By becoming an official charity runner, you can make a difference in someone else’s life while transforming your own.

You can make a difference, in your life and beyond.

$200K Raised Last Year

Our official Charity Runners helped raise more than $200,000 for 19 different organizations during the 2022 Grandma's Marathon weekend.
$2M+ Raised Since 2015

Since 2015, our Charity Partners program has helped raise more than $2 million for various organizations across the upper Midwest and throughout the country.

Who Can Participate?
Anyone interested in running either Grandma’s Marathon, the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon, or the William A. Irvin 5K can participate as a Charity Runner.

Entries & Fundraising Guidelines
Each of our official Charity Partner organizations has a limited number of entries into each of our three weekend races. Additionally, each Charity Partner is responsible for recruiting its own runners and developing its own fundraising goals and guidelines.

Contacting The Charities
If you’re interested in becoming a Charity Runner, reach out directly via phone or email to one of the participating organizations. If you do not hear back within three (3) business days, please contact our Program Manager Alivia Nelson via email at [email protected].

Fundraising
To be accepted as a Charity Runner, you must commit to the fundraising goal set by your partner organization. You will have access to a fundraising page on Race Roster that can be personalized and shared with prospective donors. NOTE: Some Charity Partners use their own platforms to collect funds and may provide you alternative instructions for your fundraising.

Register for the Race
Once you have raised the minimum amount as agreed upon at the beginning, your partner organization will distribute specific registration instructions so you can officially enter the race. If you’ve reached the minimum fundraising amount, you will also receive a promo code that will waive the race entry fee.

NOTE: Any additional registration options or fees associated with the runner’s failure to follow registration instructions or use the promo code correctly will not be reimbursed.