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.
The Essentia Health Fitness Expo will be open on race weekend at the following times and location:
DATE & HOURS
- Thursday, June 20, 2024 | 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Friday, June 21, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
LOCATION
Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC)
Lake Superior Ballroom — Entrance A & B
350 Harbor Drive
Duluth, MN 55802
We would love to have you and your company at our next Essentia Health Fitness Expo! If your organization is interested in becoming an exhibitor, please contact Expo Coordinator Laura Bergen via email at [email protected] or call our office at (218) 727-0947.
DECC PARKING RAMP
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.
The Essentia Health Fitness Expo will be open on race weekend at the following times and location:
DATE & HOURS
- Thursday, June 20, 2024 | 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Friday, June 21, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
LOCATION
Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC)
Pioneer Hall & Arena – Entrance A
350 Harbor Drive
Duluth, MN 55802
The 2024 Essentia Health Fitness Expo will feature more than 75 vendors and exhibitors showcasing the latest products, services, technology, and innovation in the running and athletic industries.
For a full list of attending vendors and a map of their placement in the expo hall, please click the link below.
DECC PARKING RAMP
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.
FEATURED LIVE APPEARANCES
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Chris Nikic, Endurance Athlete & Author (1% Better: Reaching My Full Potential and How You Can, Too)
Friday, June 21 | 12:00 p.m. | DECC, Paulucci Hall
Chris Nikic is an American-born endurance athlete, and in 2020 he became the first person with Down Syndrome to finish an Ironman triathlon. He was later awarded the Jimmy V Award for Perserverance and named the Best Men’s Athlete with a Disability at the 2021 ESPY Awards.
Nikic has now competed in each of the World Marathon Majors, and he and his dad, Nik, have published a book called 1% Better: Reaching My Full Potential and How You Can, Too that chronicles the inspiring and compelling story of how Chris set and accomplished his goals.
PANEL DISCUSSION
Featuring Ideas on Inclusion of Disabled & Neurodivergent Athletes
Friday, June 21 | 1:00 p.m. | DECC, Paulucci Hall
Nik Nikic, the father of Chris Nikic (see above), will be joined by Luke & Kelly Rogers of Special Olympics Minnesota to talk more deeply about disabled and neurodivergent athletes and their space within the endurance sport industry. It’s important this group not only feel welcomed at events like Grandma’s Marathon but also that the events themselves continue to make themselves accessible to everyone, including those who may need special accommodations on race day.
DICK & CARRIE PRE-RACE TALK SHOW
Featured Guests: Dakotah Lindwurm, Zac Clark, & Alan Noel
Friday, June 21 | 4:00 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.
This year, Dick & Carrie will be joined on the annual pre-race talk show by the following guests:
- Dakotah Lindwurm – 2x Grandma’s Marathon champion (2021, 2022) & 2024 US Olympian
- Zac Clark – CEO, Release Recovery & Former Contestant on The Bachelorette
- Alan Noel – National Vice Captain & Treasurer, Black Men Run
VIRTUAL RACECOURSE TOURS
Commentary from 2x Grandma’s Marathon Champion Doug Kurtis
Friday, June 21 | 10:30 a.m. & 2:30 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.
MEET A FUTURE OLYMPIAN
VIP MEET & GREET | $50 per person (limited to 150)
BUY YOUR VIP MEET & GREET TICKETS HERE
Thursday, June 20 | 6:00 p.m. | The Garden Event Center
Come support two-time Grandma’s Marathon Dakotah Lindwurm in her pursuit of an Olympic gold medal!
To help the Lindwurm family with travel and lodging costs associated with the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, we’re hosting an intimate meet & greet with Dakotah on Thursday, June 20 at The Garden Event Center in Duluth!
Come meet and hear from Dakotah — and get a signed poster! — as we wish her well in Paris. Heavy hors d’oeuvres are included with your ticket, and a cash bar will be available.
All proceeds from the event will go to the Lindwurm family to assist in their travel to support Dakotah at the Olympics.
MORNING GROUP RUN | Free & Open to Public
Friday, June 21 | 9:00 a.m. | DECC, Entrance A
Don’t miss your chance to run with a future Olympian! Dakotah and Duluth Running Company will lead a short shakeout run on Duluth’s scenic Lakewalk, the perfect chance to get helpful hints from a former champion before you take on the challenge of race day!
AUTOGRAPH SIGNING | Free & Open to Public
Friday, June 21 | 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | DECC, Pioneer Hall
Dakotah will be signing autographs during the opening hours on Friday at the Essentia Health Fitness Expo. We will have posters available, or you can bring something from home!
PRE-RACE TALK SHOW | Free & Open to Public
Friday, June 21 | 4:00 p.m. | DECC, Paulucci Hall
Dakotah will join Minnesota running legends Dick Beardsley and Carrie Tollefson as some of our event’s biggest and best personalities come together as part of our annual pre-race talk show.
The trio will discuss Dakotah’s preparations for the Olympic marathon in August, as well as the story of how she went from a Minnesota-born hockey player to Division II college runner to Olympian.