Grandma’s Marathon
The countdown is on!
2023 Grandma’s Marathon registration opens on October 1, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. CT.
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Race Date: June 17, 2023
Race Location: Duluth, MN
Race Capacity: 9,000
Pricing Structure (In-Person)
October 1-October 15 — $120
October 16-December 31 — $130
January 1-March 31 — $140
April 1-June 1 — $150
Pricing Structure (Virtual)
October 1-June 1 — $110
Wheelchair & Duo Team Start: 7:35 a.m.
Men’s Elite & Sub-Elite Start: 7:40 a.m.
Women’s Elite & Sub-Elite Start: 7:45 a.m.
Citizen Start: 7:45 a.m.
IMPORTANT: If you are not entered in the elite, sub-elite, wheelchair,
or duo categories, you will start at 7:45 a.m. immediately after the women’s elite and sub-elite runners.
Future Grandma’s
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
Since our inaugural race in 1977, Grandma’s Marathon has grown into something much bigger than just a 26.2-mile race along the scenic North Shore of Minnesota.
It’s now become a “can’t-miss” weekend in June, a moment when participants of all calibers come together to celebrate the vigor of the human spirit.
It’s a day the word “impossible” ceases to exist, a day 9,000 people become your best running buddy.
So get ready to once again tie up your laces for another year of memories, miles, and human might.
The Grandma’s Marathon racecourse starts just south of Two Harbors, 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.
2023 LIMITED EDITION GRANDMA’S MARATHON JACKET
$40.00 (price good until December 31, 2022)
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 GRANDMA’S MARATHON TRAINING
SHIRT
$30.00
Let the world know you’re training for the 2023 Grandma’s Marathon in this 100% polyester, long-sleeve tech training shirt. You’ll look good and run fast!
GRANDMA’S MARATHON SOFT QUARTER ZIP
*** NEW IN 2023
$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
JACKET & TRAINING SHIRT COMBO: For the perfect layering solution in all weather conditions, you can purchase both the limited edition Grandma’s Marathon jacket AND training shirt together for just $55.00 — a savings of $15.00! (price good until December 31, 2022)
NOTE: All purchased items are expected to be shipped in early 2023.
Advantage Emblem & Screen Printing is the official merchandiser of Grandma’s Marathon. To purchase other official race swag and merchandise, please click HERE to visit our official online store.
Grandma’s Marathon water and aid stations will be located at Miles 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25. Water and Powerade Ion4 (Mountain Berry Blast) will be provided in cups at every station.
Fuel will be available at Mile 17, and fresh fruit will be available near Miles 19 and 23.5.
Grandma's Marathon has experienced pace teams to help keep you on track throughout your race. Pacers will be available for the following goal finish times: 3:00, 3:10, 3:20, 3:30, 3:40, 3:50, 4:00, 4:05, 4:20, 4:35, 4:50, 5:00, 5:30, 6:00.
Grandma’s 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
Wheelers – 1st through 5th
Non-Binary – 1st
Local Runner – 1st
Minnesotan – 1st
Grandmother – 1st (Women Only)
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 Grandma's Marathon as well as learn more about how to order your official race photos, please click HERE. You can also read more about the Grandma's Marathon all-time event record holders, year-by-year winners, and age category record-holders.
Most of the best — and most fun! — places to watch Grandma’s Marathon come once the runners have reached Mile 19 and the outer city limits of Duluth. London Road, Superior Street, and Canal Park are the most convenient locations to watch the race(s). Parking in these areas can be limited, so please plan to arrive early or allow extra walking time to your viewing spot.
For answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions about Grandma’s Marathon and race weekend, please click HERE.
The Grandma’s Marathon racecourse starts just south of Two Harbors, 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.
Race packets are distributed on on race weekend at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC). Participants are also given the option at time of registration to have their race packet sent via mail.
Grandma’s Marathon water and aid stations will be located at Miles 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25. Water and Powerade Ion4 (Mountain Berry Blast) will be provided in cups at every station.
PURE FUEL, provided by Anderson's Maple Syrup, will be available at Mile 17, and fresh fruit will be available near Miles 19 and 23.5.
Grandma's Marathon has experienced pace teams to help keep you on track throughout your race. Pacers will be available for the following goal finish times: 3:00, 3:10, 3:20, 3:30, 3:40, 3:50, 4:00, 4:05, 4:20, 4:35, 4:50, 5:00, 5:30, 6:00.
You will receive an official, clear plastic gear bag at race packet pickup. A label with your race number will be provided in your race packet envelope and must be placed on the desginated space on your gear bag.
IMPORTANT: Unofficial gear bags (including backpacks) are not permitted and will not be accepted. Do not leave valuables in your gear bag. Race officials are not responsible for any lost or damaged items. All bags are subject to inspection and should not be left unattended.
Before your race, your gear bag must be dropped in the appropriately numbered containers near the start corral entrance. Gear bags are not permitted in the start corral. Please plan to wear layers that can be discarded in the start area - Goodwill will reuse or recycle all clothing left behind.
After your race, your gear bag may be picked up in the finish area tent.
Using official bus or train transportation is the ONLY allowable way for participants to get to the start line of Grandma’s Marathon or 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.
IMPORTANT: Details of our 2022 shuttle bus and train transportation plan are currently being finalized. Specific pickup and dropoff times and locations will be posted and emailed to participants when ready.
Grandma’s 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
Wheelers – 1st through 5th
Non-Binary – 1st
Local Runner – 1st
Minnesotan – 1st
Grandmother – 1st (Women Only)
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 Grandma's Marathon as well as learn more about how to order your official race photos, please click HERE. You can also read more about the Grandma's Marathon all-time event record holders, year-by-year winners, and age category record-holders.
Most of the best — and most fun! — places to watch Grandma’s Marathon come once the runners have reached Mile 19 and the outer city limits of Duluth. London Road, Superior Street, and Canal Park are the most convenient locations to watch the race(s). Parking in these areas can be limited, so please plan to arrive early or allow extra walking time to your viewing spot.
For answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions about Grandma’s Marathon and race weekend, please click HERE.
Known for providing some of the best hospitality in road racing, Grandma’s Marathon is the 12th largest marathon 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 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.
Minnesota’s Best
Grandma’s Marathon was chosen as the back-to-back winner as the state’s top annual sports event or race in the Minnesota’s Best awards, a Star Tribune initiative to celebrate the many businesses, organizations, and individuals that make Minnesota a great place to live, work, and play.
In 2022, more than 750,000 votes were cast for Minnesota’s Best, with 6,700 different entities across the state competing for the top three spots in 370+ award categories.
Best of the Best
Grandma’s Marathon was voted as the region’s best local tournament in the 2022 Best of the Best awards, which are hosted by our major media partner the Duluth News Tribune.
More that 140,000 votes were cast in this year’s competition, separating close to 45,000 nominees in hundreds of different categories searching to find the best of the best in Duluth and the surrounding area.
The BibRave 100
Grandma’s Marathon was named by BibRave to The BibRave 100 : A Definitive List of the Best Races in America and identified as one of the top 20 best marathons of the decade.
Grandma’s Marathon was also named by BibRave voters as one of the nation’s top 5 “Race-Cations,” which is described as a premier race combined with weekend experiences to make potential extra travel and logistics worth the time.
MN Signature Event
Grandma’s Marathon was named a Signature Event by Explore Minnesota Tourism for its contributions to the state’s $15 billion travel industry.
In a 2019 economic study, it was reported that Grandma’s Marathon brings nearly $21 million to the region each year.
The organization aimed to highlight Minnesota-based, world-class events that produce substantial media exposure and generate significant travel dollars for the state of Minnesota.
Olympic Trials
Qualifier
In 2022, there were 49 participants of Grandma’s Marathon that qualified for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. The 2023 Grandma’s Marathon will again be a qualifying event.
The qualifying window opened on January 1, 2022 and the new, updated USATF Qualifying Standards for the marathon are as follows:
MEN: 2:18:00 | WOMEN: 2:37:00
Boston Marathon Qualifier
In 2022, there were 1,030 participants (17.3% of finishers) of Grandma’s Marathon that qualified for the Boston Marathon, based on the B.A.A. Qualifying Standards.
Since 2010, Grandma’s Marathon has produced 10,632 qualifying times for the Boston Marathon. On average, more than 17.5% of Grandma’s Marathon finishers qualify to run in Boston.
Grandma’s Marathon is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) Wanda Age Group Qualifier series.
The AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Rankings comprise a one-year qualifying period during which athletes in nine separate age groups can compete in over 50 marathons across the world to earn ranking points. At the end of the qualifying period, the top ranked runners in each age group will be invited to the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Championships.
