Real runner feedback on course feel, crowd support, aid stations, and logistics (parking, hotels, restaurants).
What can I say about Grandma's that hasn't been said? It's iconic. Small city feel with big city experience. I've run 45 marathons. Grandma's was my first marathon (lucky me!) and is still is my favorite. Highlights: the Air Force flyover, the views all along Lake Superior, the entertainment that comes back year after year, the finish in Canal Park. It is so well organized with details that aren't seen in many other marathons: the baloons that mark the miles, sponges and ice at the aid stations (important in Climate Change heat), and the best volunteers ever. I have always felt taken care of. The finish line in Canal Park is a party! As a back-of-the-pack runner, the all-day crowd at the finish line gives us slower runners the boost we so need. As long as I can run marathons, I will run Grandma's.
The start line waiting area is a car dealership. Seating is the parking lot or on wet grass. Bring something to sit on. This is northern Minnesota, it can be cold (although not as cold as it used to be twenty years ago), so have some throw-away clothes. Porta potty lines are long (when aren't they?) but there are plenty and several along the route, especially at the halfway point where the half marathon is staged. No waiting at all!
Hotels start booking the day after the marathon for the next year and very expensive during marathon weekend. There is lodging at local campuses. There are bus pickups (and returns) in several locations the morning of the marathon.
It's flat and fast, but humidity can be an issue. The finish had a number of false summits, and should be moved to improve the sightline. They used an ungodly number of paper cups, but offered no gu, which meant bring your own. I paid $400 for one of the few Motel 6 rooms available so I could be near the event - which is extortion. I'm one and done for this race. Minneapolis/Medtronic was way better.
This is a well organized marathon, the community, volunteers are all so friendly and helpful. Although hotels are pricey the course, crowds and scenery are so worth it!
First 16 are rolling hills, Mile 22 hill is going up an over pass.
Staying by Miller Mall was the best for me and my family.
I liked everything about the organization of Grandma's marathon. It was a great race. My only complaint is the price gouging by local hotels. The one I stayed at charged 3 times their normal amount.
I believe they should be looked at for price gouging.
Start.
As far back as possible clock doesn't start till you crossed the start line
Really research your hotel and how much they are gouging. You the day before and race day
The course was nice. The locals enthusiastically supported the marathon. However, the logistics were very bad. Waiting for the busses to take you to the start was a 40-minute wait. Gear check was horrible. My entire bag was wet, they had the bags sitting in puddles of water and did not even adjust them, so the opening was out of the water. The hotels are insanely expensive. I spent 3 afternoons in October calling hotels only to find the requirement was for 3-night minimum stay at a cost of $579 (not including taxes) per night. It appeared that they spent more time thinking about how to be "green" then they spent thinking about the runners.
Find another marathon.
Find a friend who has a summer home/ cottage in the area.
Just did the 2024 one. The marathon is nice as expected. But the logistics is pretty bad. I arrived at bus pick up site 5:45, it is a 45 minutes wait in the rain, arrived at starting line 2 minutes before the race. And only can start at the last corral. Another thing is Gear check pick up. Long line in the wind and rain. The worst part of the race is all my gear checked cloth is wet…
Book hotel early.
More bus and planning well for gear check
It was a great course with lots of crowd support.Weather was great in 2023.Volunteers and after marathon was nice.A bit of walking to get to the celebration area.Two things prevent me from giving 5 stars.Serious lack of porta potty for such a large marathon.Please be aware of the hotel price gouging for marathon weekend.Your paying incredibly high prices for basic accommodations if you can find them
Slightly downhill or flat.One slight hill at 22 barely noticed.Slight hill just created a fast gradual incline to finish.Negative splits for me
Hotel and motel sale out quickly and they are charging twice what they are worth.If your traveling solo consider staying at Two Harbours but still very pricey
Great race organization, beautiful course with mix of lake views and running in town. Mostly flat and just enough elevation to keep it interesting. Nice medal and finisher shirt. Good after party.
The lemon drop hill isn't bad at all! Although known to be somewhat warm and humid 2022 ended up with great weather. Bus ride takes about 30 minutes to start line. Rolling start.
Book hotel as soon as registering or even before. Hotels are expensive, Dorm room options open up around February, which is cheaper.
Well organized race with great support. With favorable weather this is fast.
The train ride up to the start was nice. Long wait for portapotties.
Get hotel reservations early.
Very well organized race. Great crowd support from the small towns on the way into Duluth. Weather was great, cloudy and cool. Lemon Drop Hill at Mile 22 can be challenging, only if you don't prepare for it.
Book hotels very early, they fill up fast!
Rolling hills, not "flat" as advertised. The starting area doesn't have much cover, so you want to make sure to bring enough to keep warm prior to the start. The bag drop is well placed very near the start corral, so it's easy to strip down just before you enter.
It is a point-to-point, so have to get up early to catch the shuttle. Highly recommend staying a one of the hotels a shuttle picks up from.
Loved the marathon! Coming from South Florida I found the hills a little challenging but that was my problem. The weather and the people were amazing. You can't beat the views on the course of Lake Superior.
Take the train to the start. There are plenty of seats and bathrooms on the train. Worth getting up early to catch.
It runs along beautiful Lake Superior. The course is flat and very fast. It's in mid-June which is a beautiful time of year for Duluth, MN. Also it's on a Saturday which makes for great post-race parties!
2017 was mostly 70 and sunny, which is kind of warm for a marathon. 2016 was HOT: 90s and humid. Tip: train in warmer conditions and mentally prepare for the worst.
This is just about the most well organized, coordinated marathon I have ever had the pleasure to run. Loved the easy packet pick up, great pre-race dinner, easy transportation to the start, beautiful scenery along Lake Superior and one of the most fabulous finish line parties. Not only was Grandmas team of volunteers organized, they were the most welcoming helpful and friendly group that wanted nothing more than everyone to have fun and be happy. Well done!
This course is rolling - some slight graded, long inclines, but nothing too steep or intimidating. A "hill" at mile 22 seems bigger than it is by the simple fact that it comes at the end. Even pacing would work well here. Expect any kind of weather for Duluth. It was supposed to be 65 and rain and the sun arrived full force on mile 9 and temperatures hovered in mid-70's. It had been 90's the previous days and I've read that it has been close to freezing on other years.This is a course with little to no shade if there is full sun.
We stayed at a hotel near the finish line, but if you drive in for your packet pick up, there were lines of cars the afternoon before the race to get to the convention center.
There are several hotels near the finish line and all are very walkable. Book early, it all fills up!
The spaghetti dinner hosted by Grandmas was delicious.
The course is very scenic, mostly flat. The race is extremely well organized. Friendly people line the course to cheer on the runners, many providing water, coffee, snacks, and stay until the last runners cross the finish.
Save energy for Lemon Drop Hill (mile 22). Many runners hit a wall at that point of the race.
Book hotel very early, even before registration opens. It is difficult to get rooms marathon weekend. Look for cabins in Two Harbors if you want to be close to the start.
Lake Superior view during all of the race!!!
Great Community Support! !!
Hotels are booked 1 year in advance.
The race course is just beautiful! How can you beat the view of Lake Superior!
Get hotel and race bib early! Race fills up fast.
Very well organized. Loved how they had the mile markers very visible with super high balloons. Beautiful course! It's not a flat course, but it is a fast course.
It's not a flat course, but it is a fast course. Several inclines but the declines that follow make up for it.
Book your hotel early!!! It's very expensive to fly into Duluth and stay there, so plan ahead or consider flying into Minneapolis.
Best medical and support for its size town.
At your pace-refresh frequently and enjoy the scenery.
Reserve early-canal park congested so make specific hook up plans post race-
Loved the small town feel, the setting is second to none running along Lake Superior. Cool temps, sunny, great crowds. Best marathon I've ever run.
Great location, great support, beautiful course, flat and fast, great finish line
Pretty flat
Make your lodging accommodations well in advance. Stay in Two Harbors at the start