• YAF Races
    • YAF Youth Races

          • Our kids. Our community. Our future.

            A central pillar of the Young Athletes Foundation is providing free and accessible programming for our area’s kids throughout the year. These programs are focused on our mission of building and providing pathways to the community’s children in their pursuit of active and healthy lifestyles.

          • Wednesday Night at the Races
          • Saturday Morning at the Races
          • Whipper Snapper Races
    • YAF Programs

          • Our kids. Our community. Our future.

            Since its inception in 1990, the Young Athletes Foundation has worked to support the organizations and individuals of its five-county region through a series of kids’ events, grants, scholarships, and other programs that are focused on promoting and providing pathways for kids to live healthy and active lifestyles.

          • Grant Program
          • Running Shoe Program
          • Scholarship Program
          • Fit-n-Fun Run
          • Winter Challenge
    • YAF Volunteer

          • Our kids. Our community. Our future.

            Our tremendous community of volunteers plays a significant role in helping the Young Athletes Foundation to create memorable and successful events for our runners. More than 1,000 volunteers are needed throughout the year to support our fundraising race events for the YAF.

    • YAF Sponsors

          • Our kids. Our community. Our future.

            The Young Athletes Foundation was created to serve the community, and for more than three decades we have done that with the help of our local and regional business partners. With events throughout the year, our sponsors assist greatly in our mission of  providing pathways of opportunity to youth in athletic programs and encouraging healthy lifestyles.

    • What to See & Do

          • Authentic Duluth

            Don’t miss out on the authentic Duluth experience! Grandma’s Marathon falls during one of the most beautiful times of the year in northern Minnesota, and there’s no shortage of outdoor adventures or fun activities for you to enjoy with your family and friends on race weekend!

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    • Where to Stay

          • Authentic Duluth

            There’s nothing more important before the race or more welcome after the race than the perfect place to rest, relax, and recharge. With the help of our many lodging and hospitality partners in the area, Grandma’s Marathon is committed to making sure each of our 20,000+ runners, not to mention our volunteers and spectators, have a place to stay on race weekend!

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    • Where to Eat & Drink

          • Authentic Duluth

            Every year since 1977, our community has thrown open its doors to runners and spectators in town for Grandma’s Marathon. As the race has grown, the service industry has always been there with a smile to welcome tens of thousands of runners along with their families and friends as they descend on Duluth for race weekend.

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    • How to Get Around

          • Authentic Duluth

            There is so much to see and do in Duluth and along the North Shore of Minnesota! Getting there couldn’t be easier with our transportation partners. Whether you need to know where to find parking nearby on race day or you are looking for a way to get around town, we are here to help.

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    • Sponsors

          • It Takes a Village

            At Grandma’s Marathon, we specialize in bringing people together for an unparalleled running experience. Over four decades of careful attention to detail has earned us the reputation as one of the most highly organized races in the country. More than 20,000 participants travel from more than 50 countries and all 50 states to join us each June on the scenic shores of Lake Superior, and your message can be waiting for all of them when they get here.

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    • Volunteer

          • It Takes a Village

            We agree with our runners — we have the most compassionate and energizing community of volunteers. Every year, we host close to 20,000 participants and we couldn’t take care of them without your help. Grandma’s Marathon is a world-class event with small-town charm because of our volunteers!

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    • Donation Campaign

          • It Takes a Village

            We couldn’t do it without you, and we wouldn’t want to! The passion our community has for Grandma’s Marathon is what gives our race its small town charm, and the contributions you’ve made over the years are what allow us to keep improving the world class experience for our participants, volunteers, and spectators.

          • Read More
    • The Marathon
          • Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter Youtube
    • Annual Races
    • Young Athletes Foundation
    • When You Visit
    • Support Us

Start Line

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Grandma's Marathon Start Line

The Grandma’s Marathon start line is located just south of Two Harbors, MN on Old Scenic Highway 61. 

Official shuttle buses and the full marathon participant train will drop participants approximately 1/3 of a mile from the start line. Plan to take the earliest shuttle bus you can to maximize your time at the start area.

GRANDMA'S MARATHON START AREA MAP

Taking official start line transportation is the ONLY way to guarantee arriving at the start area on time. Race transportation to the start is for participants only, and you must have your official race bib visible to board. Please see our Participant Transportation page for more information on bus and train loading times and locations. NOTE: There is no access for individual drop-offs or parking near the start line.

You will receive an official, clear plastic gear bag at race packet pickup. A label with your race number is provided in your race packet envelope and must be placed in the designated space on your bag.

Gear bags must be dropped in the appropriately numbered containers near the start corral entrance and will not be permitted in the start corral. Gear bags should be dropped off by 7:15 a.m. to avoid delays getting into the start chute. 

Please plan to wear layers that can be discarded in the start area - Goodwill will reuse or recycle all clothing left behind. Your gear bag can be picked up following your race in the finish area tent.

NOTE: Unofficial gear bags (including backpacks) are not permitted and will not be accepted. Do not leave valuables or prohibited items in your bag. Race officials are not responsible for lost or damaged items. All bags are subject to inspection and should not be left unattended.

There will be plenty of portable toilets, as well as water, available to participants at the start area. NOTE: Please be respectful of our neighbors along the racecourse and help keep Minnesota's North Shore pristine by using designated portable toilets ONLY. Runners doing otherwise run the risk of disqualification.

The Grandma’s Marathon starting area is lined on one side of the racecourse by trees and private property and on the other side by railroad tracks. Due to this confined nature, spectators are not encouraged at or near the start line. Please see our Spectator Information page for more recommendations on where and how to watch on race day.

Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon Start Line

The Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon start line is located on Old Scenic Highway 61 just north of McQuade Safe Harbor.

Official shuttle buses will drop participants approximately 1/3 of a mile from the start line. Plan to take the earliest shuttle bus you can to maximize your time at the start area.

GARRY BJORKLUND HALF MARATHON START AREA MAP

Taking official start line transportation is the ONLY way to guarantee arriving at the start area on time. Race transportation to the start is for participants only, and you must have your official race bib visible to board. Please see our Participant Transportation page for more information on bus loading times and locations. NOTE: There is no access for individual drop-offs or parking near the start line.

You will receive an official, clear plastic gear bag at race packet pickup. A label with your race number is provided in your race packet envelope and must be placed in the designated space on your bag.

NEW POLICY IN 2022: Gear bags must be dropped at your bus loading location prior to departing to the start area. Gear bags WILL NOT be allowed on the buses or accepted at the start area.

Please plan to wear layers that can be discarded in the start area - Goodwill will reuse or recycle all clothing left behind. Your gear bag can be picked up following your race in the finish area tent.

NOTE: Unofficial gear bags (including backpacks) are not permitted and will not be accepted. Do not leave valuables or prohibited items in your bag. Race officials are not responsible for lost or damaged items. All bags are subject to inspection and should not be left unattended.

There will be plenty of portable toilets, as well as water, available to participants at the start area. NOTE: Please be respectful of our neighbors along the racecourse and help keep Minnesota's North Shore pristine by using designated portable toilets ONLY. Runners doing otherwise run the risk of disqualification.

The Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon starting area is lined on one side of the racecourse by trees and private property and on the other side by Lake Superior. Due to this confined nature, spectators are not encouraged at or near the start line. Please see our Spectator Information page for more recommendations on where and how to watch on race day.

garry bjorklund half marathon logo
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Fitger's 5K History

The Fitger’s 5K began in 1990 and over more than three decades has now become Duluth’s premier spring running event.

The 3.1-mile race traditionally starts and finishes in front of the historic Fitger’s building. The scenic race course takes participants through downtown Duluth and Canal Park.

Below are the all-time Fitger’s 5K race records and winners from each year. NOTE: Some early records are incomplete and our staff is working to retrieve those dating back to 1990.

2022 Fitger's 5K Parking Info

The Fitger’s 5K course starts and finishes just outside the historic Fitger’s Lakefront Hotel in downtown Duluth. They travel eastward toward 23rd Avenue East on Superior Street, London Road, and South Street.

Course Map [PDF]
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2022 Fitger's 5K Parking Info

The Fitger’s 5K course starts and finishes just outside the historic Fitger’s Lakefront Hotel in downtown Duluth. They travel eastward toward 23rd Avenue East on Superior Street, London Road, and South Street.

Course Map [PDF]
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2022 Fitger's 5K Parking Info

Free parking for the event is available in the parking ramp located next to Fitger’s.

Fitger’s Complex
600 E. Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55802

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2022 Fitger's 5K Race Packet Pickup Info

The Fitger’s 5K course starts and finishes just outside the historic Fitger’s Lakefront Hotel in downtown Duluth. They travel eastward toward 23rd Avenue East on Superior Street, London Road, and South Street.

Course Map [PDF]
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2022 Fitger's 5K Swag Items

The Fitger’s 5K course starts and finishes just outside the historic Fitger’s Lakefront Hotel in downtown Duluth. They travel eastward toward 23rd Avenue East on Superior Street, London Road, and South Street.

Course Map [PDF]
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