ESSENTIA HEALTH FITNESS EXPO
The Essentia Health Fitness Expo kicks off Grandma’s Marathon weekend and is one of the largest in the nation, featuring vendors and exhibitors showcasing the latest products, services, technology, and innovation in the running and athletic industries.
Additional offerings, including guest speakers throughout the two-day event, make the Essentia Health Fitness Expo a wonderful way to start an always fun-filled weekend in Duluth.
DULUTH ENTERTAINMENT CONVENTION CENTER (DECC)
Pioneer Hall & Arena — Entrance A & B
350 Harbor Drive
Duluth, MN 55802
HOURS
Thursday, June 19 | 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday, June 20 | 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
DECC PARKING RAMP & BAYFRONT FESTIVAL PARK LOT
350 Harbor Drive
Duluth, MN 55802
Paid parking on race weekend is available for $10 at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) parking ramp the Bayfront Festival Park open lot.
Metered and other paid parking is available in Canal Park or downtown Duluth, which is approximately one-half mile away from the DECC. NOTE: To crossover I-35, or to help protect pedestrians from cold or inclement weather, there is an indoor skywalk system that connects downtown Duluth to the DECC facilities.
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
Use the Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) to ease the stress of moving around town on race weekend! NOTE: Be sure to utilize the DTA Trip Planner to plan your weekend activities.
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).
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 us via email at [email protected] or via phone at (218) 727-0947.
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.
For answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Grandma’s Marathon race weekend, please click HERE.
FEATURED LIVE APPEARANCES
MORNING GROUP RUN | Free & Open to Public
Featured Hosts: Dakotah Popehn & Annie Frisbie
Friday, June 20 | 9:00 a.m. | Duluth Running Company
Don’t miss your chance to shake out the legs and run with the best of frenemies – Dakotah Popehn and Annie Frisbie!
The Minnesota Distance Elite teammates will lead a group shakeout run that starts and finishes in front of Duluth Running Company (1026 E. Superior Street).
Popehn — formerly Dakotah Lindwurm — is a two-time Grandma’s Marathon champion and competed for the United States in the 2024 Paris Olympics, while Frisbie won last year’s Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon and is the current women’s event record holder.
This is the perfect chance to get helpful hints — plus maybe a picture and an autograph — from two former champions before you take on the challenge of race day!
ELITE ATHLETE PRE-RACE Q&A | Free & Open to Public
Featured Guests: TBD
Friday, June 20 | 3:00 p.m. | DECC, Paulucci Hall
Hear from some past champions and fan favorites of both Grandma’s Marathon and the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon as they discuss their preparation and expected competition in Saturday’s race(s).
NOTE: Media members will have the first opportunity to ask questions of the athletes, but questions from the audience will be taken as time allows.
DICK & CARRIE PRE-RACE TALK SHOW | Free & Open to Public
Featured Guests: Brent Silkey, 30 for Freedom | Becs Gentry, Peloton | Garry Bjorklund, 1977 Grandma’s Marathon Champion
Friday, June 20 | 4:30 p.m. | DECC, Paulucci Hall
Dick Beardsley is a two-time Grandma’s Marathon champion and owned the men’s event record for more than three decades before it was beaten in 2014 by Dominic Ondoro. Carrie Tollefson is a Minnesota running legend in her own right, having competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics and now working as a television analyst for some of the nation’s biggest events. Together, they make a dynamic duo on our Grandma’s Marathon media team and will again be covering this year’s men’s and women’s full marathons on radio and television.
VIRTUAL RACECOURSE TOURS | Free & Open to Public
Featured Speaker: Doug Kurtis
Friday, June 21 | 11:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. | DECC, Paulucci Hall
Doug Kurtis is a two-time Grandma’s Marathon champion and will be available to take you through a virtual racecourse tour before you get to the start line. Whether it’s your first time to Duluth or you just can’t get enough of our beautiful racecourse, make sure you don’t miss out on your chance to learn any last-minute tips and tricks that may help in your approach to race day.