Grandma's Marathon
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Grandma's Marathon Weekend
Grandma's Marathon is a long-standing running event held annually in Duluth, Minnesota. The weekend features a variety of races and community activities centered around the scenic shores of Lake Superior and the Canal Park area. The event attracts over 20,000 participants from around the world to northeastern Minnesota.
The race weekend includes several distance options and challenges:
- Marathon: A course along the shores of Lake Superior.
- Half Marathon: A 13.1-mile course ending in Canal Park.
- 5K: A 3.1-mile race starting and finishing near the William A. Irvin ore boat.
- Great Grandma’s Challenge: A multi-day event combining the 5K on Friday with either the full or half marathon on Saturday.
- Whipper Snapper Races: Specific events designed for children.
The marathon course is characterized as relatively flat and fast. During the weekend, the city hosts a Fitness Expo, a spaghetti dinner, and a music festival. Strategic support services such as participant transportation and race packet pickup are organized to assist the high volume of runners.
The event is supported by over 1,000 volunteers and features extensive course entertainment, including live music and cheer teams. In addition to the main June weekend, the organizing body manages the KP Challenge, a series of local races throughout the year, including a 4K, a 5K, and a 5-miler, to support consistent training. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
