THE FINAL DESTINATION
Nestled on the streets of Canal Park, one of Duluth’s most popular summer neighborhoods, the Grandma’s Marathon finish line always provides one of the most intimate and emotional areas for both participants and spectators on race day.
Located in front of the original Grandma’s Restaurant and just a half-mile from the post-race celebration at Bayfront Festival Park, the finish line is a central hub of activity and celebration on race weekend.
FINISH LINE
408 Canal Park Drive
Duluth, MN 55802
ESTIMATED CHAMPION FINISH TIMES
Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon
Men – 7:00 a.m.
Women – 7:10 a.m.
Grandma’s Marathon Wheelchair
Men – 9:00 a.m.
Women – 9:05 a.m.
Grandma’s Marathon
Men – 9:50 a.m.
Women – 10:10 a.m.
For a list of full estimated finish times, based on time per mile, please click HERE.
TV & RADIO COVERAGE
TV & Streaming: WDIO-TV (Duluth area), KSTC-TV (Twin Cities), and wdio.com
Radio: Northland FAN 106.5FM (Duluth area), and northlandfan.com
Coverage starts at 6:30 a.m. on race day.
Spectators are encouraged to enjoy the finish line viewing experience on race day, though it’s advised to arrive early as space and good viewing angles are limited.
BLEACHER PASSES
Reserved finish line bleacher passes can be purchased for $10 at the Fitness Expo Information Booth on Thursday and Friday. The bleachers are handicap accessible.
Free bleacher space is also available on race day, but very limited.
You MUST have a visible race bib or valid race credential to be inside the secure finish area. NO EXCEPTIONS.
After finishing the race, participants will immediately receive their finisher medal and T-shirt. IMPORTANT: Men’s and women’s shirts will be distributed on separate sides of the T-shirt tent. Please take the size shirt you selected during registration. To request a size exchange of your finisher shirt after the race, please complete a form HERE. Requests will be honored on a first-come, first-served basis as inventory allows.
Water, Powerade Ion4 (Mountain Berry Blast), and other refreshments will be available to participants within the secure finish area. Participants may choose to collect their gear bag before visiting the runner recovery lot but must stay within the secure finish area.
There will be a tearaway tag on the bottom of the race bibs, which can be redeemed for a FREE beverage on race weekend. These tags can be redeemed either in the secure finish area of Grandma’s Marathon and the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon (Saturday, June 21) or at Bayfront Festival Park (Friday-Saturday, June 20-21).
If you wish to use your tag for an alcoholic beverage, you MUST present your ID at one of the following locations to receive a wristband, which must remain on your wrist and visible until the time you receive your drink. PRO TIP: Get your wristband at packet pickup or the fitness expo, and skip the ID line at Bayfront Festival Park.
Thursday, June 19 — 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday, June 20 — 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Race Packet Pickup
C&L Expo Booth
DECC Information Booths
All three locations are inside the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) as part of the Essentia Health Fitness Expo.
Thursday, June 19 — 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday, June 20 — 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Bayfront Festival Park
An information tent will be located within the secure finish area (immediately behind the T-shirt tent) and staffed by volunteers throughout race day to answer participant questions.
The meeting area is located in Canal Park near the Aerial Lift Bridge, just beyond the exit of the secure runner recovery area.
Signs will be labeled as follows: AB, CD, EF, GH, IJ, KL, MN, OP, QRS, TUV, and WXYZ.
There will be a FREE return shuttle bus service provided for participants, spectators, and community members on race day. NOTE: Unlike the start line buses, no race bib is required to board the return shuttles. They are free to use for everyone.
The return buses will run continuously from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on race day and will depart from the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) on Railroad Street near the north gate. NO bikes or large strollers are allowed.
For specific return bus dropoff locations, please click HERE.
BIKE VALET
Skip the traffic when exploring Duluth! To help make our event a more accessible biking destination, we will offer a bike valet on both Friday and Saturday of race weekend. Just like a coat check, we’ll tag your bike and provide you with a claim stub. When you’re ready to move on, come get your bike, and off you go!
This complimentary service is available at the following times and locations on race weekend:
Friday, June 20
12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. — Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC), near Entrance A
Saturday, June 21
6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. — Corner of Buchanan Street & Lake Avenue
RIDE THE BUS
Participants can ride the Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) for free on race day just by showing their official race bib. NOTE: Be sure to utilize the DTA Trip Planner to plan your weekend activities.
PORT TOWN TROLLEY
Courtesy of the Duluth Transit Authority (DTA), the Port Town Trolley will be available from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on race day between Canal Park (corner of Lake Avenue and Morse Street) and Bayfront Festival Park.
SKYWALK ACCESS
Use the indoor skywalk system to cross Interstate-35 and access the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC). Enter the skywalk in downtown Duluth at the Holiday Center (207 W. Superior Street).
LAKEWALK
For a less congested option to move between the finish line area and Miles 19-24 on the racecourse, consider using Duluth’s scenic Lakewalk. IMPORTANT: Bikes are allowed on the Lakewalk, but they are NOT ALLOWED on the racecourse.
DULUTH ENTERTAINMENT & CONVENTION CENTER (DECC) — $10
To access DECC parking from I-35, take the Lake Avenue/5th Avenue West exit (#256B).
350 W. Railroad Street
Duluth, MN 55802
BAYFRONT FESTIVAL PARK — $10
To access Bayfront Parking from I-35, take the Mesaba Avenue/Superior Street exit (#256A) and use Superior Street.
350 Harbor Drive
Duluth, MN 55802
DOWNTOWN DULUTH — $$ varies
To access these parking options from I-35, take the Mesaba Avenue/Superior Street exit (#256A) and use Superior Street.
Our event uses the Event Alert System (EAS) to communicate information on current conditions prior to and on race day. Participants, spectators, and volunteers should familiarize themselves with the color-coded flags, which will be posted prior to the race at the fitness expo and on race day at the start line and at each water station. Updates may also be communicated over public address systems and by race officials.
Anyone seeking medical information on a participant should inquire at the Medical Information Tent near the finish line or by calling the marathon office at (218) 727-0947. If you need assistance for a non-race related emergency, please call 911.
For answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Grandma’s Marathon race weekend, please click HERE.
NEW IN 2025
There will be a tearaway tag on the bottom of the race bibs, which can be redeemed for a FREE beverage on race weekend. These tags can be redeemed either in the secure finish area of Grandma’s Marathon and the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon (Saturday, June 21) or at Bayfront Festival Park (Friday-Saturday, June 20-21).
If you wish to use your tag for an alcoholic beverage, you MUST present your ID at one of the following locations to receive a wristband, which must remain on your wrist and visible until the time you receive your drink. PRO TIP: Get your wristband at packet pickup or the fitness expo, and skip the ID line at Bayfront Festival Park.
Thursday, June 19 — 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. | Friday, June 20 — 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
All three locations are inside the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) as part of the Essentia Health Fitness Expo.
Race Packet Pickup
C&L Expo Booth
DECC Information Booths
Thursday, June 19 — 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. | Friday, June 20 — 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Bayfront Festival Park