Grandma's Marathon guide

Sat, Jun 19, 2027 · Duluth, MN, USA · Start 7:45 AM

What to know when planning this race

Start, finish & getting there
Point-to-point: you start on Scenic Highway 61 near Two Harbors and finish in Canal Park, Duluth.
Convenient areas to stay
Canal Park and downtown Duluth are near the finish, the start buses and the DECC expo.
Confirmed vs. carried over
The race date and start time come from the official site but haven't been re-checked for this edition.
Plan around before race morning
  • Take the official bus or the North Shore Scenic Railroad train to the start.
  • Highway 61 closes early, so you can't drive to the start.
  • Book lodging early; Duluth hotels fill up for race weekend.

Sources for Grandma's Marathon:

Race overview

Organizer
Grandma's Marathon
Date
Sat, Jun 19, 2027
Distance
Marathon
Start time
7:45 AM
Start location
Scenic Highway 61 near Two Harbors
Finish location
Canal Park, Duluth
Official race website

Verification date unavailable. Source

Course

Cumulative elevation, mile by mile. Amber bars are the significant climbs.

Significant climbs

  • Mile 21–22 · +54 ft
  • Mile 22–23 · +19 ft

Significant descents

  • Mile 22–23 · −59 ft
  • Mile 21–22 · −24 ft
  • Mile 0–1 · −19 ft
Mile-by-mile course notes
  • Mile 0–1 +14 / −19 ft · Official: start 740 ft, finish 610 ft — gentle rollers along Lake Superior. Course totals ≈ 407 ft gain / 542 ft loss (source: official elevation chart + RunReady).
  • Mile 1–2 +14 / −19 ft
  • Mile 2–3 +14 / −19 ft
  • Mile 3–4 +14 / −19 ft
  • Mile 4–5 +14 / −19 ft
  • Mile 5–6 +14 / −19 ft
  • Mile 6–7 +14 / −19 ft
  • Mile 7–8 +14 / −19 ft
  • Mile 8–9 +14 / −19 ft
  • Mile 9–10 +14 / −19 ft
  • Mile 10–11 +14 / −19 ft
  • Mile 11–12 +14 / −19 ft
  • Mile 12–13 +14 / −19 ft
  • Mile 13–14 +14 / −19 ft
  • Mile 14–15 +14 / −19 ft
  • Mile 15–16 +14 / −19 ft
  • Mile 16–17 +14 / −19 ft
  • Mile 17–18 +14 / −19 ft
  • Mile 18–19 +14 / −19 ft
  • Mile 19–20 +14 / −19 ft
  • Mile 20–21 +14 / −19 ft
  • Mile 21–22 +54 / −24 ft · Lemon Drop Hill (around miles 21–22) — the only notable climb.
  • Mile 22–23 +19 / −59 ft · Downhill into Duluth after Lemon Drop Hill.
  • Mile 23–24 +14 / −19 ft
  • Mile 24–25 +14 / −19 ft
  • Mile 25–26 +14 / −19 ft
  • Mile 26–26.2 +3 / −4 ft

Aid stations

  • Mile 3

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 5

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 7

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 9

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 11

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 13

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 15

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 17

    GEL

    Official gel station. Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 19

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 20

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 21

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 22

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 23

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 24

    Mile marker per official course information.

  • Mile 25

    Mile marker per official course information.

Rules & important information

Race rules
Bib worn visibly on the front. Photo ID required at packet pickup; no race-day pickup. No bandits, pets, strollers or unregistered pacers. Point-to-point; bus transportation to the start from Duluth is required. Weather along the lake can swing quickly.
Cutoff times
Approximately a 6-hour course limit; sweep buses follow the final pace group.
Transportation
Take the official buses or the North Shore Scenic Railroad train from Duluth to the start. Highway 61 closes early.
Other notes
Course, aid station, expo and hotel details are compiled from published race information and are not yet officially verified — confirm timings and logistics with the organizer before race weekend.

Verification date unavailable. Source

Race week & expo

  • Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC)

    350 Harbor Dr, Duluth, MN

    Thu, Jun 17, 20275:00 PM – 12:00 AM
    Fri, Jun 18, 20273:00 PM – 10:00 PM
    Packet pickup
    Bib, shirt and race packet are collected together at the expo. Nothing is mailed and there is no race-morning pickup — plan to attend on one of the open days.
    ID requirements
    Government-issued photo ID required for every runner. Picking up for someone else requires a signed authorisation form and a copy of their ID.
    Parking
    Paid lots around the DECC and Canal Park; plan extra time on the final afternoon.
    Transit
    Rideshare drop-off at the main entrance; transit and hotel shuttles serve the venue on expo days.

    Verification date unavailable. No source on file.

Ready 2 Race recommendation: visit the expo on the first day it opens if your travel allows — final-afternoon queues are the longest. This is guidance, not an official requirement.

Athlete tracking & results

Open tracking & results

Tracking and results come from the race organizer.

Hotels near the start, Airbnb and travel planning are available when you create your account.

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