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 per day 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 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.
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.
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 7-10 days 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 7-10 days before the race. 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 $26.95 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
Participants must have a visible race bib or valid race credential to be on the racecourse. NO EXCEPTIONS.
The race bib must be pinned on all four corners to the front of a participant’s outermost layer. Do not alter the bib in any way. The silver tag on the back of the bib is for timing and recording results. It must not be bent.
Participants are asked to complete the emergency medical information on the back of the bib prior to the start of the race.
SCORING & TIMING
Participants must START and FINISH with the race bib affixed as instructed to receive an official time. NO EXCEPTIONS. If wearing a watch, participants should keep their arm from covering your bib while crossing a timing mat to get an accurate signal. Unofficial results will be posted at mtecresults.com on race day.
Grandma’s Marathon Time Splits
3.1M, 6.2M, 13.1M, 16.2M, 20M, 22M, 24M, and 25M
Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Time Splits
3.1M, 6.9M, 9M, 10.9M, and 11.9M
FREE POST-RACE DRINK
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