2025 William A. Irvin 5K registration will open on October 1 at 7:00 p.m. CT.
2025 William A. Irvin 5K registration is now open.
2025 William A. Irvin 5K registration is now sold out.
To 2025 Race Day
- 00Days
- 00Hours
- 00Minutes
- 00Seconds
32nd Annual WILLIAM A. IRVIN 5K
Connect with other William A. Irvin 5K participants!
- Participant Facebook Group — You’ve got questions about race weekend? Go straight to the source and connect with other participants.
- Grambassadors — We’ve assembled a group of experienced and enthusiastic race weekend veterans to offer help and encouragement!
Don’t worry… there are still ways into the SOLD OUT William A. Irvin 5K!
- Great Grandma’s Challenge — Run the William A. Irvin 5K on Friday before Grandma’s Marathon or the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon on Saturday! NOTE: 1,200 total entries available for Great Grandma’s Challenge.
- Charity Partners Program — You raise the money, they pay for your race entry. Run for free, run for good! NOTE: Available entries and fundraising requirements vary by charity partner.
- Bib Transfer Portal — Signed up but now can’t race? Or still looking for a way into this year’s race? Connect with each other on Facebook!
WORLD CLASS EVENT, SMALL TOWN CHARM
The William A. Irvin 5K started in 1994 and has now become the popular kickoff event to an exciting lineup of races and festivities on Grandma’s Marathon weekend.
A perfect race for people of all ages and abilities, the 3.1-mile course was named after the William A. Irvin ore boat located next to the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC).
IMPORTANT: The 2025 William A. Irvin 5K will start at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 20 and will have a new, updated racecourse.
More details will be made available closer to race weekend.
A RACE FOR THE AGES
The phrase “better late than never” is certainly appropriate when describing the 2025 Grandma’s Marathon weekend.
Thousands of participants, volunteers, and community members waited patiently through a 30-minute weather delay and then delivered to us one of the most iconic weekends in our event’s already storied history, with more than 7,500 people reaching the finish line.
2025 will surely stand the test of time as an example of why we go further when we go together. On a day that was difficult in many different ways, the end product was as meaningful and impactful as we’ve ever seen.
It was unique. It was completely ours. It was Grandma’s Marathon.
49, going on 50.
Largest Event in History
Use our FAQ page to find a quick answer to the most common
questions about Grandma’s Marathon weekend, or please feel
free to call our office at (218) 727-0947.
2025 RACE DETAILS
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 / Michelob Ultra Expo Booth
DECC Information Booths
All three locations are inside the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) as part of the Essentia Health Fitness Expo.
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
Open – 1st through 10th
Ages 12 & Under – 1st
Ages 13-18 – 1st
Ages 35-39 – 1st, 2nd, & 3rd
Ages 40-44 – 1st, 2nd, & 3rd
Ages 45-49 – 1st, 2nd, & 3rd
Ages 50-54 – 1st, 2nd, & 3rd
Ages 55-59 – 1st, 2nd, & 3rd
Ages 60-64 – 1st, 2nd, & 3rd
Ages 65-69 – 1st, 2nd, & 3rd
Ages 70-74 – 1st & 2nd
Ages 75-79 – 1st & 2nd
Age 80 & Over – 1st
Non-Binary – 1st
The William A. Irvin 5K age division awards will be mailed to the winners following race day.
NOTE: 19-34 age group awards are included in the Open category. Chip time will be used to determine all age-group winners and other award recipients. Non-binary athletes are not eligible for overall men’s and women’s prize packages.
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.
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.
Our event uses the Event Alert System (EAS) to communicate information on current conditions prior to and on race day. Participants, spectators, and volunteers should familiarize themselves with the color-coded flags, which will be posted prior to the race at the fitness expo and on race day at the start line and at each water station. Updates may also be communicated over public address systems and by race officials.
Anyone seeking medical information on a participant should inquire at the Medical Information Tent near the finish line or by calling the marathon office at (218) 727-0947. If you need assistance for a non-race related emergency, please call 911.
For answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the William A. Irvin 5K and our race weekend, please click HERE.
Pricing Structure (In-Person)
October 1-October 15 — $45
October 16-December 31 — $50
January 1-June 1 — $55
Pricing Structure (Virtual)
October 1-Race Day — $40
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.
To access the full historical results database of the William A. Irvin 5K Marathon 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.
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.
THE SWAG
2025 LIMITED EDITION HOODIE
Despite its name, the weekender hoodie is good for any day of the week. Made by Minnesota-based company Storm Creek, this hoodie is sporty, stylish, and all-around good-looking. A perfect outerlayer for your pre-race training or just for lounging around the house.
2025 TRAINING SHIRT
Look good, feel better, and run fast. Let your clothes do the talking for you and let the world know you’re training for the 2025 Grandma’s Marathon weekend in this 100% polyester, long-sleeve tech training shirt.
BUY BOTH & SAVE: Purchase both a jacket and training shirt during registration to receive a 20% discount code that can be used anytime on a single purchase of any size in our online store.
RACE RESULTS & PHOTOS
The William A. Irvin 5K serves as the kickoff to Grandma’s Marathon weekend and now includes close to 3,000 participants each year.
The race is is timed and scored by Mtec Results. The previous year’s results, as well as historical and all-time results dating to the inaugural event in 1991, are available HERE.
Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon race day images are available online through MarathonFoto. Participants can view and purchase their very own personal photo gallery HERE.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
Minnesota’s Best
Grandma’s Marathon has been voted four straight years as the state’s top annual sports event or race in the Minnesota’s Best awards, a Star Tribune initiative to celebrate the many businesses, organizations, and individuals that make Minnesota a great place to live, work, and play.
Minnesota’s Best is an audience-driven contest and had more than 1 million votes cast for 6,700+ organizations in 300+ categories.
Best of the Best
Grandma’s Marathon has been voted three straight years as the region’s best local tournament in the Best of the Best awards, which are hosted by our major media partner the Duluth News Tribune.
More that 140,000 votes were cast in this year’s competition, separating close to 45,000 nominees in hundreds of different categories searching to find the best of the best in Duluth and the surrounding area.
RUNNERS’ CHOICE
Grandma’s Marathon was named by RaceRaves users as the top marathon in the state of Minnesota, and the the race also earned a spot on The BibRave 100: A Definitive List of the Best Races in America.
Grandma’s Marathon was also named one of the nation’s top 5 “Race-Cations” for its combination of a premier event with other race weekend experiences.
MN Signature Event
Grandma’s Marathon was named a Signature Event by Explore Minnesota Tourism for its contributions to the state’s $15 billion travel industry.
In a 2019 economic study, it was reported that Grandma’s Marathon brings nearly $21 million to the region each year.
The organization aimed to highlight Minnesota-based, world-class events that produce substantial media exposure and generate significant travel dollars for the state of Minnesota.
Future William A.
Irvin 5K Dates
June 19, 2026
June 18, 2027
June 16, 2028
June 15, 2029
June 21, 2030