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Grandma’s Marathon
Race Details:
- Location: Duluth, MN, USA
- Race Date: 06/19/2027
- Race Distances: Full Marathon, Half Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Boston: Yes
World Marathon Majors: Yes
Grandma’s Marathon Description
Grandma’s Marathon is one of the ten largest marathons in America, tracing a scenic, net-downhill point-to-point route along the shores of Lake Superior from Two Harbors into Duluth each June. The Boston-qualifying course follows Scenic Highway 61 with the lake in view nearly the entire way, and pairs with the record-setting Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon on the same weekend. Nearly 50 years of history have produced more than 35,000 Boston qualifying times. Pace groups help runners of every level make the most of this legendary Northern Minnesota course.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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Grandma’s Marathon Additional Details:
The race owes its name to genuine local history: back when the event was struggling to find sponsors on a budget of barely $1,200, a newly opened restaurant called Grandma’s was the only business willing to chip in, and the name stuck for good. That same restaurant now sits near the finish in Canal Park, within sight of the iconic Aerial Lift Bridge, making for one of the most recognizable finish backdrops in American distance running. Official aid stations appear nearly every mile in the back half, but the real color comes from unofficial stops residents set up along Highway 61, handing out watermelon, pineapple, pickles, Nerds candy, bacon, and beer. Finishers describe the medal as genuinely heavy, a substantial piece of hardware that matches the scale of the accomplishment.
Course Information
Profile: Mostly Flat
Type: Point to Point
Surface: Road/Pavement
Pace Groups: Yes
Time Limit: 7 hours (full), 3 hours (half)
# of Finishers
Half Marathon: 8,200 to 8,300
Marathon: 9,500 to 9,700
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 471 ft (143 m)
Elevation Loss: 581 ft (177 m)
Average Temperature
- Low: 51°F
- High: 67°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Beginner, intermediate, and advanced plans to get you to the start line ready.
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Structured plans for every experience level, first finish to chasing a new PR.
Things to Do in Duluth, MN, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Zoos, Aquariums & Gardens
Lake Superior Zoo
See more than 300 animals across 19 acres at the Lake Superior Zoo along Kingsbury Creek — a flat, self-paced walk that’s gentle on recovering legs.
Outdoors & Trails
Superior Hiking Trail
Hike a stretch of the Superior Hiking Trail through Duluth, passing Jay Cooke State Park and old-growth forest along Lake Superior — choose an easy segment for tired legs.
Landmark
Aerial Lift Bridge
Watch ships pass beneath the Aerial Lift Bridge, Duluth’s iconic landmark connecting downtown to Park Point — an easy, flat, low-impact stop by the harbor.
Arts & Culture
Duluth Art Institute
See rotating exhibits from local and regional artists at the Duluth Art Institute, housed in the historic Union Depot — a relaxed, indoor rest-day visit after race weekend.
Food & Drink
Grandma’s Saloon & Grill
Celebrate at Grandma’s Saloon & Grill in Canal Park, the original restaurant that inspired the marathon’s name since 1976 — a relaxed way to toast the finish line.
Sports & Entertainment
AMSOIL Arena
Catch a UMD Bulldogs hockey game or a concert at AMSOIL Arena, Duluth’s premier venue for sports and entertainment — a relaxed, seated way to spend an evening.
Museums & History
Lake Superior Railroad Museum
Explore the Lake Superior Railroad Museum inside the historic Union Depot, home to vintage locomotives and regional rail history — an easy, indoor, low-impact stop after race day.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Enger Tower
Climb Enger Tower in Enger Park for sweeping views of Lake Superior and the Duluth harbor below — a relaxed, low-impact way to spend a rest day after racing.
Shopping
Canal Park
Browse gift shops and boutiques in Canal Park, Duluth’s lakefront district near the Aerial Lift Bridge — an easy, flat, walkable stroll for a post-race souvenir.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Grandma’s Marathon
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Featured Race
A pancake-flat course made for chasing a PR — and a Boston Qualifier.
Boston Qualifier: Yes