LOUD & PROUD — SUPPORT THE RUNNERS!
Everyone who crosses the finish line on race day certainly didn’t do it alone. All of them enjoyed support all the way through their training up to, and especially on race day.
After a tranquil and serene start to their race as the course takes them along the scenic shores of Lake Superior, the participants are ready for one thing when they hit the city limits — NOISE!
The final six miles of Grandma’s Marathon provide some of the most fun you’ll find anywhere in road racing. The shift is perfectly timed — just as participants hit the most painful part of their race, thousands of supporters are there to cheer them to the finish line.
SPECTATOR INFORMATION
The Grandma’s Marathon course is a picturesque, point-to-point 26.2-mile stretch along the beautiful shores of Lake Superior. With rolling hills and a net downhill elevation, our racecourse starts north of Duluth, MN near Two Harbors and runs along Scenic Highway 61, hugging the shores of Lake Superior before taking participants through the heart of downtown Duluth and finishing in historic Canal Park.
TIME REQUIREMENT
Our course is open for 7 hours (16:00/mile pace). To stay on pace, participants should arrive at Mile 19 by 1:00 p.m. (approximately 5 hours into the race). IMPORTANT: Anyone choosing to continue after the 7-hour time limit will be required to use the sidewalks and follow all pedestrian/traffic laws.
TOTAL ELEVATION CHANGE: -130 FEET
Elevations are approximate.
LOCATION
Start
Mile 1
Mile 2
Mile 3
Mile 4
Mile 5
Mile 6
Mile 7
Mile 8
Mile 9
Mile 10
Mile 11
Mile 12
Mile 13
Mile 14
Mile 15
Mile 16
Mile 17
Mile 18
Mile 19
Mile 20
Mile 21
Mile 22
Mile 23
Mile 24
Mile 25
Mile 26
Finish
ELEVATION (FEET)
740
712
686
656
664
637
634
640
664
677
620
639
638
617
629
631
620
640
645
625
655
672
651
657
645
636
611
610
CHANGE (MILE TO MILE)
–
-28
-26
-30
+8
-27
-3
+6
+24
+13
-57
+19
-1
-21
+12
+2
-11
+20
+5
-20
+30
+17
-21
+6
-12
-9
-25
-1
GARRY BJORKLUND HALF MARATHON
Adaptive — 5:50 a.m.
Elite & Sub-Elite — 6:00 a.m.
Citizens — 6:00 a.m.
GRANDMA’S MARATHON
Wheelchair & Adaptive — 7:35 a.m.
Men’s Elite & Sub-Elite — 7:40 a.m.
Women’s Elite & Sub-Elite — 7:45 a.m.
Citizens — 7:45 a.m.
ESTIMATED GARRY BJORKLUND HALF MARATHON CHAMPION FINISH TIMES
Men — 7:00 a.m.
Women — 7:10 a.m.
ESTIMATED GRANDMA’S MARATHON WHEELCHAIR CHAMPION FINISH TIMES
Men — 9:00 a.m.
Women — 9:05 a.m.
ESTIMATED GRANDMA’S MARATHON CHAMPION FINISH TIMES
Men — 9:50 a.m.
Women — 10:10 a.m.
Join Grandma’s Marathon legends Dick Beardsley and Doug Kurtis along with Minnesota running royalty Carrie Tollefson as they follow all the action on race day!
Watch and hear the drama unfold from wherever you are. Our live race day broadcast takes you inside the races, bringing you all of the day’s biggest stories and winning moments from start line to finish line.
The fun starts at 7:00 a.m. on race day! Check us out on local TV channels WDIO-TV (Duluth) or KSTC-TV (Twin Cities), or stream the race online at wdio.com.
For an audio only version, tune in locally to the Northland FAN 106.5FM (Duluth), or stream online at northlandfan.com.
Before, during, and after the race, be check out the Duluth News Tribune for in-depth coverage and meaningful profiles of the elite athletes, dedicated volunteers, and wonderful community members who make Grandma’s Marathon a world class event with small town charm.
One of the best ways on race day to keep track of your favorite runners is by using the live tracking feature on our Grandma’s Marathon mobile app, powered by ASICS.
Available on Apple and Android devices, the live tracking will show you exactly where your family and friends are on the course so you can be sure not to miss them as the pass by.
NOTE: The Grandma’s Marathon mobile app is available for download at any time, but the live tracking feature will not be accessible until race morning. Because of limited cell coverage in some remote areas of the racecourse, there may be some delays in tracking during portions of the race.
There are several locations along the racecourse featuring local and regional entertainment groups… from solo musicians and bands to dance teams and even fire twirlers!
For more information about wheelchair and other accessibility at popular locations of Grandma’s Marathon weekend, please click HERE.
DULUTH ENTERTAINMENT &
CONVENTION CENTER (DECC) — $10
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
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.
WOULD YOU WATCH… ON A TRAIN?
Watch this year’s Grandma’s Marathon in one of the most unique and comfortable ways possible, onboard the coaches of the North Shore Scenic Railroad.
The spectator train will be at the marathon starting line with enough time to find your favorite runner and watch the start of the race. It will then parallel the racecourse and keep pace with the leaders for the first few miles before heading back to Duluth so you can get to the finish line in time for the first marathoners to cross.
A truly unique experience you won’t want to miss!
ALL-INCLUSIVE TICKETS: $90
- Breakfast (maple pecan danish, fruit, yogurt, & granola parfait, egg bake, french toast with whipped cream & fruit, strawberry shortcake)
- Snacks & Drinks, including a bloody mary bar with mimosas
- Grandma’s Marathon Souvenir Gift Package (commemorative lanyard, Fitsoks, logo decal, finish line bleacher passes)
FEATURED VIEWING LOCATIONS
LARSMONT
Full Marathon: Mile 3
GARRY BJORKLUND HALF MARATHON
*No Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Participants
GRANDMA’S MARATHON WHEELCHAIR
First Wheelers Expected: 7:45 a.m.
GRANDMA’S MARATHON
First Participants Expected: 7:55 a.m.
Last Participants Expected: 8:30 a.m.
WHY TO WATCH HERE
With limited spectator access at the start line, this is the first real chance in the race to catch a glimpse of the participants. NOTE: Expect it to be difficult to see your favorite runner here and at the finish line on race day, as traffic and congestion will be high headed into town.
KNIFE RIVER
Full Marathon: Mile 5
GARRY BJORKLUND HALF MARATHON
*No Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Participants
GRANDMA’S MARATHON WHEELCHAIR
First Wheelers Expected: 7:50 a.m.
GRANDMA’S MARATHON
First Participants Expected: 8:05 a.m.
Last Participants Expected: 9:15 a.m.
WHY TO WATCH HERE
Just five miles from the Grandma’s Marathon start line, Knife River is a perfect spot to see participants early in the race. Plus, a short hike will bring you right to water’s edge of beautiful Lake Superior. Make sure you stop by Great Lakes Candy Kitchen or Russ Kendall’s Smokehouse.
McQUADE HARBOR
Half Marathon: Mile 1 | Full Marathon: Mile 13
GARRY BJORKLUND HALF MARATHON
First Participants Expected: 6:05 a.m.
Last Participants Expected: 6:30 a.m.
GRANDMA’S MARATHON WHEELCHAIR
First Wheelers Expected: 8:20 a.m.
GRANDMA’S MARATHON
First Participants Expected: 8:50 a.m.
Last Participants Expected: 11:45 a.m.
WHY TO WATCH HERE
You’ll have to get up early to catch the half marathoners here, as it’s just about a mile from the start line. When picking your viewing spot up the shore, McQuade Harbor is one of the easier spots to get to and, unlike some other remote areas, there is plenty of public parking.
LESTER RIVER
Half Marathon: Mile 6 | Full Marathon: Mile 19
GARRY BJORKLUND HALF MARATHON
First Participants Expected: 6:25 a.m.
Last Participants Expected: 7:30 a.m.
GRANDMA’S MARATHON WHEELCHAIR
First Wheelers Expected: 8:35 a.m.
GRANDMA’S MARATHON
First Participants Expected: 9:15 a.m.
Last Participants Expected: 1:00 p.m.
WHY TO WATCH HERE
As they cross the Lester River on the outskirts of town, the participants here get their first glimpse of Duluth after spending the opening miles in the solitude of Minnesota’s north woods. The louder you can be the better at this point, as most everyone will need an energy boost before the race’s final miles.
LAKESIDE
Half Marathon: Miles 6-8 | Full Marathon: Miles 19-21
GARRY BJORKLUND HALF MARATHON
First Participants Expected: 6:30 a.m.
Last Participants Expected: 7:45 a.m.
GRANDMA’S MARATHON WHEELCHAIR
First Wheelers Expected: 8:40 a.m.
GRANDMA’S MARATHON
First Participants Expected: 9:20 a.m.
Last Participants Expected: 1:15 p.m.
WHY TO WATCH HERE
If you’re looking for a party on race day, London Road in Lakeside offers some of the most raucous crowds on the course. Plenty of yard parties and music make for a fun atmosphere, and it’s not uncommon to see some of the participants stop for a beer – or maybe even some pickle juice – along this stretch.
LAKESIDE
Half Marathon: Mile 9 | Full Marathon: Mile 22
GARRY BJORKLUND HALF MARATHON
First Participants Expected: 6:40 a.m.
Last Participants Expected: 8:15 a.m.
GRANDMA’S MARATHON WHEELCHAIR
First Wheelers Expected: 8:45 a.m.
GRANDMA’S MARATHON
First Participants Expected: 9:30 a.m.
Last Participants Expected: 1:45 p.m.
WHY TO WATCH HERE
One of the most iconic points on the racecourse, Lemon Drop Hill offers one of the day’s single biggest tests in willpower. The participants will welcome any extra enthusiasm you can muster to help them to the top. Once they’re past this hill, they can almost start to hear the roar of the finish line.
DOWNTOWN DULUTH
Half Marathon: Miles 11-12 | Full Marathon: Miles 24-25
GARRY BJORKLUND HALF MARATHON
First Participants Expected: 6:50 a.m.
Last Participants Expected: 8:45 a.m.
GRANDMA’S MARATHON WHEELCHAIR
First Wheelers Expected: 8:50 a.m.
GRANDMA’S MARATHON
First Participants Expected: 9:40 a.m.
Last Participants Expected: 2:15 p.m.
WHY TO WATCH HERE
One of the more popular spots in the closing miles, downtown Duluth not only offers plenty of space for comfortable viewing but is also within walking distance of the finish line and Canal Park. Make sure you stop in for lunch at the Fitger’s complex, Sir Benedict’s Tavern on the Lake, or Pizza Luce.
CANAL PARK
Half Marathon: Finish Line | Full Marathon: Finish Line
GARRY BJORKLUND HALF MARATHON
First Participants Expected: 7:00 a.m.
Last Participants Expected: 9:15 a.m.
GRANDMA’S MARATHON WHEELCHAIR
First Wheelers Expected: 9:00 a.m.
GRANDMA’S MARATHON
First Participants Expected: 9:50 a.m.
Last Participants Expected: 3:00 p.m.
WHY TO WATCH HERE
Crowds will be four or five deep by mid-morning, so arrive early to claim a front row spot. Free bleachers are available at the finish line or just behind the DECC. After you’re done watching, check out Bayfront Festival Park for live music, food, and drinks.