Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon

The countdown is on!
2023 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon registration opens on October 1, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. CT.
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The countdown is on!
Get to training! The 2023 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon is coming up fast, we’ll see you in June!
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The 2023 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon is officially sold out!
Those still interested in participating in the 2023 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon can explore any of the following options:
- Charity Partners Program — You raise the money, they pay for your race entry. Run for free, run for good!
- Bib Transfer Portal — Connect with runners who can’t make it in June and are looking to sell their race entry.
- Virtual Race — Can’t make it to Duluth? Run your race where it’s convenient for you, and we’ll ship your finisher shirt and medal to you!
The 2023 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon is officially sold out!
Those still interested in participating in the 2023 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon can explore any of the following options:
- Half Great Grandma’s Challenge — Run the William A. Irvin 5K on Friday before the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon on Saturday!
- Charity Partners Program — You raise the money, they pay for your race entry. Run for free, run for good!
- Bib Transfer Portal — Connect with runners who can’t make it in June and are looking to sell their race entry.
Connect with other 2023 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon runners!
- 2023 Participant Facebook Group — You’ve got questions about race weekend? Go straight to the source and connect with other runners!
- 2023 Grambassadors — We’ve assembled a group of experienced and enthusiastic Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon participants to offer help and encouragement!
Race Date: June 17, 2023
Race Location: Duluth, MN
Race Capacity: 8,000 (FULL)
Adaptive Start: 5:50 a.m.
Men’s Elite & Sub-Elite Start: 6:00 a.m.
Women’s Elite & Sub-Elite Start: 6:00 a.m.
Citizen Start: 6:00 a.m.
IMPORTANT: If you are not entered in the elite, sub-elite, or duo categories, you will start at 6:00 a.m. immediately after the elite and sub-elite runners.
Pricing Structure (In-Person)
October 1-October 15 — $110
October 16-December 31 — $120
January 1-March 31 — $130
April 1-June 1 — $140
Pricing Structure (Virtual)
October 1-June 1 — $100

Future Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Dates
June 17, 2023
June 22, 2024
June 21, 2025
June 20, 2026
June 19, 2027
June 17, 2028
June 16, 2029
June 22, 2030
Garry Bjorklund won the inaugural Grandma’s Marathon in 1977 and was again the champion in 1980.
While that may be his local claim to fame, the Duluth area native also represented the United States in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, placing 13th in the 10,000-meters.
In 1991, the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon was created to recognize his lifelong contributions to running throughout the area and state of Minnesota.
The race has now grown to become one of the largest half marathons in the country, welcoming approximately 10,000 participants each year to the shores of Lake Superior.

The Grandma’s Marathon is a picturesque, point-to-point 26.2-mile stretch along the beautiful shores of Lake Superior.
With rolling hills and a net downhill elevation, our racecourse starts north of Duluth, MN and runs along Scenic Highway 61 and the shores of Lake Superior before taking participants through the heart of downtown Duluth and finishing in historic Canal Park.
TIME REQUIREMENT
The Grandma’s Marathon racecourse is open for 7 hours (16-minute mile pace). To stay on pace, participants should arrive at Mile 19 by 1:30 p.m. (5 hours, 45 minutes into the race).
Participants choosing to continue the race after the 7-hour mark will do so at their own risk due to vehicular traffic and water/aid stations no longer being available. Anyone on the course after its official closing time will be asked to move to the sidewalk.
LOCATION
Start
Mile 1
Mile 2
Mile 3
Mile 4
Mile 5
Mile 6
Mile 7
Mile 8
Mile 9
Mile 10
Mile 11
Mile 12
Mile 13
Mile 14
Mile 15
Mile 16
Mile 17
Mile 18
Mile 19
Mile 20
Mile 21
Mile 22
Mile 23
Mile 24
Mile 25
Mile 26
Finish
ELEVATION (FEET)
740
712
686
656
664
637
634
640
664
677
620
639
638
617
629
631
620
640
645
625
655
672
651
657
645
636
611
610
CHANGE (MILE TO MILE)
–
-28
-26
-30
+8
-27
-3
+6
+24
+13
-57
+19
-1
-21
+12
+2
-11
+20
+5
-20
+30
+17
-21
+6
-12
-9
-25
-1
TOTAL ELEVATION CHANGE: -130 FEET
Elevations are approximate.
Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon water and aid stations will be located at Miles 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. Water and Powerade Ion4 (Mountain Berry Blast) will be provided in cups at every station.
Hiccup Earth will again be providing reusable cups for two of our Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon water stations, in partnership with Coca Cola. Be on the lookout for these blue, silicone cups at Mile 12. Please remember two important things --- DO NOT take the cups with you, and TOSS your used cups to the side of the road or in one of the marked collection bins.
ON-COURSE FUEL & FOOD
Anderson's Maple Syrup will provide PURE FULE (100% organic maple syrup packets) as on-course energy at Mile 4, and Super One Foods will provide fresh fruit near Mile 6 and 10.5.
Participants may pick up their race packets during the Essentia Health Fitness Expo. Extended hours for packet pickup are available on Friday night for those arriving late to Duluth.
PACKET PICKUP HOURS
Thursday, June 15, 2022 | 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday, June 16, 2022 | 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Click HERE for more information on the specifics of your race packet pickup.
Using official bus transportation is the ONLY allowable way for participants to get to the start line of the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. For the safety of our participants, volunteers, and the public, individual drop-offs at the start line are strictly prohibited.
Please click HERE for more information on available transportation to the start line and throughout race day.
The Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon start line is located on Old Scenic Highway 61 just north of McQuade Safe Harbor. For a map and more information on the start line, including more of what to expect for participants, please click HERE.
The Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon finish line is located in the heart of Duluth's Canal Park and is a short walk from the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) and Bayfront Festival Park. For a map and more information on the finish line, including more of what to expect for participants, please click HERE.
You will receive an official, clear plastic gear bag at race packet pick-up. A label with your race number is provided in your race packet envelope and must be placed in the designated space on your bag.
Gear bags MUST be dropped at the bus pickup locations prior to departing for the start area. Gear bags WILL NOT be accepted in the start area.
Please plan to wear warm layers on race morning. Extra clothes can be discarded in the start area prior to the race – Goodwill Duluth will reuse or recycle all clothing left behind.
Participants may pick up their gear bags in the secure finish area. You may pick up your gear bag before collecting your post-race food, if desired.
IMPORTANT: Unofficial gear bags (including backpacks) are not permitted and will not be accepted. Do not leave valuables in your bag. Race officials are not responsible for any lost items. All bags are subject to inspection and should not be left unattended.
The Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon has experienced pace teams to help keep you on track throughout your race. Pacers will be available for the following goal finish times: 1:30, 1:40, 1:45, 1:50, 1:55, 2:00, 2:05, 2:10, 2:15, 2:20, 2:30, and 2:45.
Participants can find their pace team leader near the sign in the start corral indicating their goal pace.
If you're unable to complete your race, there are four dropout zones located approximately at Miles 3, 6, 9, and 10.5. There are medical personnel at each location, if needed.
Fatigue buses will depart to the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) from these locations when full. Seeking aid at a medical tent does not prevent you from continuing the race. However, receiving any assistance that results in your being moved forward on the course will result in a disqualification.
Timing mats will be placed at the following checkpoints on the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon racecourse: 6.9M and 11.9M.
Live runner tracking, powered by ASICS, is available through our Grandma's Marathon mobile app. The app can be downloaded anytime on Apple and Android, but live runner tracking will be available only on race day.
Most of the best - and most fun! - places to watch the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon come onces the participants have reached Mile 6 and the outer city limits of Duluth.
London Road, Superior Street, and Canal Park are the most convenient locations to watch the race for most people. Parking in these areas can be limited, so please plan to arrive early to allow extra walking time to your chosen viewing location.
More specific spectator information for race weekend can be found HERE.
Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Award Categories
Open – 1st through 10th
Ages 12-18 – 1st
Ages 35-39 – 1st, 2nd, & 3rd
Ages 40-44 – 1st, 2nd, & 3rd
Ages 45-49 – 1st, 2nd, & 3rd
Ages 50-54 – 1st, 2nd, & 3rd
Ages 55-59 – 1st, 2nd, & 3rd
Ages 60-64 – 1st, 2nd, & 3rd
Ages 65-69 – 1st, 2nd, & 3rd
Ages 70-74 – 1st, 2nd, & 3rd
Ages 75-79 – 1st & 2nd
Age 80 & Over – 1st
Non-Binary – 1st, 2nd, & 3rd
Local Runner – 1st
Minnesotan – 1st
19-34 age group awards are included in the Open category. Per USATF rules, gun time will be used to determine prize money and incentive bonuses. Chip time will be used to determine all age-group winners and other award recipients. Non-binary athletes are not eligible for overall men’s and women’s prize packages.
To access the full historical results database of the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon as well as learn more about how to order your official race photos, please click HERE.
You can also read more about the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon all-time event record holders, year-by-year winners, and age category record-holders.
For answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions about the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon and race weekend, please click HERE.

2023 GARRY BJORKLUND HALF MARATHON
FINISHER MEDAL
Once you cross that finish line, you’ll forever own a title that no one can take away — Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon finisher.
Immediately after finishing, you’ll receive your finisher medal (pictured left) and finisher shirt. NOTE: It’s a Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon tradition that the finisher shirt design is kept secret prior to race weekend.
Whatever your reason for starting, we can’t wait to see you finish!

2023 GARRY BJORKLUND HALF MARATHON
LIMITED EDITION JACKET
$50.00
Whatever the weather, this breathable performance fleece zip-up jacket made by Minnesota-based company Storm Creek will keep you at peak comfort and offers the perfect active layer.
MSRP: $75.00

2023 GARRY BJORKLUND HALF MARATHON
TRAINING SHIRT
$30.00
Let the world know you’re training for the 2023 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon in this 100% polyester, long-sleeve tech training shirt. You’ll look good and run fast!

GRANDMA’S MARATHON
SOFT QUARTER ZIP
$35.00
Made by Minnesota-based company Storm Creek, this luciously soft and lightweight quarter-zip will fit perfectly and snuggle you all the way across the finish line.
MSRP: $55.00

Known for providing some of the best hospitality in road racing, The Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon is one of the most popular in the United States and one of the few not held in a large, metropolitan area.
Travel to Duluth for race weekend is made easy with daily, direct flights from the Minneapolis-St. Paul and Chicago-O’Hare airports.
A summer half marathon needs a natural air conditioner. Lake Superior keeps our city cool on race day, with an average temperature of 56 degrees and a typical tailwind for our runners.

Race Raves: Runner’s Choice
The Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon was named the top half marathon in the state of Minnesota by RaceRaves users and readers.
The list, released in 2019, crowned the 50 best half marathons in the United States based on votes from thousands of runners across the country, along with online reviews and ratings.
“When it comes to hosting a scenic destination event,” the award blurb reads, “Duluth knows best.”
Olympic Trials Qualifier
The 2023 Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon will be a qualifying event for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
The qualifying window opens on January 1, 2023 and the new, updated USATF Qualifying Standards for the half marathon are as follows:
MEN: 1:03:00 | WOMEN: 1:12:00