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 – 9:15 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.
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 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 food and beverages 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.
Click HERE for more information on the specifics on the finish line area of the race.
A tearaway tag on the bottom of the race bib can be redeemed for a free drink on race weekend — redeem the tag either in the secure finish area or at Bayfront Festival Park.
IMPORTANT: If you wish to redeem your tag for an alcoholic beverage, you MUST present your ID to receive a wristband, which must be on your wrist and visible to receive your drink. It is recommended you get your wristband BEFORE race day at one of the following locations.
Thursday, June 18 — 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday, June 19 — 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Race Packet Pickup
C&L Distributing/Michelob Ultra Expo Booth
DECC Information Booths & Bar
These locations are inside the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) as part of the Essentia Health Fitness Expo.
Friday, June 19 — 12:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 20 — 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Bayfront Festival Park
For directions or other race day information, please visit one of the following information center locations, which will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on race day.
- Runner Recovery Area (near finisher shirt tent)
- Finish Area (near corner of Buchanan Street & Lake Avenue)
- Minnesota Slip Bridge (on Harbor Drive)
- Bayfront Festival Park (in ASICS Results Tent)
The Family Meeting Area is in Canal Park next to the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, just beyond the runner exit of the secure finish area.
Signs to help with locating family members are labeled as follows: AB, CD, EF, GH, IJ, KL, MN, OP, QRS, TUV, and WXYZ.
SPECTATOR TRANSPORTATION
Want to be in Canal Park or downtown Duluth on race day without the hassle or traffic? Park your vehicle at any of the following locations, and our buses will take you to the finish line area in Canal Park:
- Miller Hill Mall
- University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD)
- Duluth East High School
- Proctor Sports & Event Center
- University of Wisconsin Superior (UWS)
- Two Harbors High School
At each of these locations, shuttles will run continuously from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on race day. Look for Grandma’s Marathon bus loading signs, as these areas will not be staffed throughout the day.
The buses will drop off near the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) parking ramp North Gate, which is approximately a half mile from the finish line.
Depature times from the loading locations will vary but are expected to be approximately every 30-45 minutes.
FINISH LINE BLEACHERS
There are two sets of reserved bleachers along the finish line stretch in Canal Park. Tickets for these bleachers are $10 and can be purchased the Information Booth at the Essentia Health Fitness Expo prior to race day.
More specific spectator information for race weekend can be found HERE.
Timing mats will be placed at the following checkpoints on the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon racecourse: 3.1M, 6.9M, 9M, 10.9m, and 11.9M.
Timing mats will be placed at the following checkpoints on the Grandma’s Marathon racecourse: 3.1M, 6.2M, 13.1M, 16.2M, 20M, 22M, 24M, and 25M.
Live runner tracking, powered by ASICS, is available through our Grandma’s Marathon mobile app. The app can be downloaded HERE on Apple and Android, but live runner tracking will be available only on race day.
TV & RADIO COVERAGE
TV & Streaming (starts at 6:30 a.m.): WDIO-TV (Duluth area), KSTC-TV (Twin Cities), and wdio.com
Radio (starts at 6:30 a.m.): Northland FAN 106.5FM (Duluth area), and northlandfan.com
Newspaper: Duluth News Tribune (Duluth area) and duluthnewstribune.com
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 3:30 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 19
12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. — Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC), near Entrance A
Saturday, June 20
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 per day
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 per day
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.
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 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.
Please click HERE to view our full Grandma’s Marathon Access & Equity Policy, and please click HERE for some more specifics on the accessibility of race weekend.
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.
