RACE PACKET PICKUP
Registered participants will be given a race packet containing important items for their race, including their official race bib.
Race packet pickup for Grandma’s Marathon weekend is available the Thursday and Friday of race weekend during the Essentia Health Fitness Expo at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC).
DULUTH ENTERTAINMENT CONVENTION CENTER (DECC)
Arena — Entrance A
350 Harbor Drive
Duluth, MN 55802
PACKET PICKUP HOURS
Thursday, June 19 — 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday, June 20 — 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
NOTE: If you are participating in the William A. Irvin 5K or the Great Grandma’s Challenge, you must pick up your packet by 12:30 p.m. on Friday.
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.
An email with your bib number will be sent prior to the race in June. Please bring that email – either a printed copy or a digital version on your mobile phone – to pick up your packet on race weekend.
IMPORTANT: There is ABSOLUTELY no race packet pickup on race morning, and all participants must show a photo ID to pick up their race packet. Your ID will be used only to match your first and last name to your registration.
Bib number emails will only be sent once, typically in early June. If you have lost your email or did not receive it, please bring a photo ID with you to race packet pickup and go to the “Bib Number Lookup Station.”
Your ID will be used only to match your first and last name to your registration.
Yes! You may have someone else pick up your packet. To do this, complete the authorization form (found at the bottom of your official bib number email coming in early June), and have someone else bring the printed, authorized confirmation to race packet pickup.
Yes! For a $25.00 fee (within the United States), you can have your packet mailed to you a week prior to the race. The last day to request to have your packet mailed to you is May 20. Requests received after this date will not be accepted. NO EXCEPTIONS.
NOTE: This option is not available for participants in either the Great Grandma’s Challenge or William A. Irvin 5K.
If you do not select this option when registering, please call us at (218) 727-0947. Our staff will assist in changing your packet delivery preference, so please have your mailing address and credit card information ready.
RACE BIBS
Your race bib MUST be pinned on all four corners to the FRONT of your outermost layer. Do not alter your bib in any way. The silver tag on the back of your bib is for timing and recording your results. It MUST NOT be bent. Please complete the emergency medical information on the back of your bib prior to the start of your race.
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 / Michelob Ultra Expo Booth
DECC Information Booths
Friday, June 20 — 12:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. | Saturday, June 21 — 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Bayfront Festival Park
SCORING & TIMING
You must START and FINISH with your race bib affixed as instructed to receive an official time – NO EXCEPTIONS. If you wear a watch, please keep your arm from covering your bib while crossing a timing mat to get an accurate signal. Unofficial results will be posted at grandmasmarathon.com on race day.
Grandma’s Marathon Time Splits
3.1M, 6.2M, 13.1M, 16.2M, 20M, 22M, 24M
Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Time Splits
3.1M, 6.9M, 8.9M, 10.9M