NEW IN 2025: The William A. Irvin 5K will start at 1:00 p.m.

If you are a wheelchair or adaptive athlete, please email Race Director Greg Haapala at [email protected] or call our office at (218) 727-0947 to discuss options for alternative start time and/or accommodations.

Participants may pick up their race packets during the Essentia Health Fitness Expo. IMPORTANT: William A. Irvin 5K and Great Grandma’s Challenge participants must pick up their packet PRIOR to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, June 20 to ensure arriving to the 5K start line on time.

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.

Click HERE for more information on the specifics of your race packet pickup.

The William A. Irvin 5K uses a pulse start process to ensure the safest and most enjoyable race environment possible for all participants. Please line up in the start corral near the sign that most closely represents your expected pace per mile. Race officials and volunteers will provide instructions on race day.

IMPORTANT: Please expect and plan for congestion and long lines at the start line, especially for the portable toilets. There will also be speakers playing music and announcements – if noise is a sensory issue, please plan to bring ear plugs to use until after the race has started.

WATER & AID STATION
There is one aid/water station on the William A. Irvin 5K racecourse, located just before the 1.5-mile mark. Water, toilets, and first aid will be available here.

MEDICAL SUPPORT
There will be a marked Medical Tent inside Bayfront Festival Park, near the finish line area. Anyone seeking medical information on a participant should inquire here or by calling the Grandma’s Marathon office at (218) 727-0947. If you need assistance for a non-race related emergency, please call 911.

You MUST have a visible race bib or valid race credential to be inside the secure finish area. NO EXCEPTIONS.

After finishing the race, participants will immediately receive their finisher medal. IMPORTANT: Participants will receive their commemorative William A. Irvin 5K shirt at packet pickup.

Water and other refreshments will be available to participants within the secure finish area.

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.
Race Packet Pickup
C&L Expo Booth
DECC Information Booths
All three locations are inside the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) as part of the Essentia Health Fitness Expo.

Thursday, June 19 — 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday, June 20 — 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Bayfront Festival Park

Full race results will be posted immediately following the event at grandmasmarathon.com.

To access the full historical results database of the William A. Irvin 5K as well read more about the event’s all-time event record holders, year-by-year winners, and age category record-holders, please click HERE.

Rooms do book quickly for Grandma’s Marathon weekend, so it’s recommended that participants, volunteers, and spectators find lodging as soon as possible.

A full list of available hotels, motels, and campgrounds, etc. throughout the area is available HERE.

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 
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.

For answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the William A. Irvin 5K and our race weekend, please click HERE.