Grandma's Marathon Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

.
Atlanta, GA

  (06-22-2011)

"No! No! No! Do not do this race if you aren't from this area. Apparently Duluth is a "one-hit wonder" city where Grandma's is the town's only source of revenue all year. As a result, hotel rooms cost 250/night for a two night minimum stay. Price gouging at its finest. Also, the designated Grandma's transportation (the infamous train) didn't get us to the race until 30 minutes prior (with port-o-john lines a mile long). I know of several runners around my ability who used the elite athlete shuttle to the race. I didn't think I qualified as elite with a 2:56 PR when the top runners (I'm female) are running 2:30. I guess this is a lesson learned for my next race. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2011

Jonathan L.
Duluth, MN

  (10-23-2009)

"I'm biased because this is my hometown but Duluth, for the most part, does it right. Half marathoners start at mile 13 so there's no collision course. Yes, the first 16 miles are pretty boring but if you've done your research and looked at the map, yea, you are running along Lake Superior on Highway 61 - Duluth/Superior is not a small town (over 200K people live here) but the rural lakeshore communities are pretty quiet. So it's not until you get into the Duluth city limits that you start seeing a lot of people. You have to be self-motivated to run this race. The nice part, however, is that you get the intense crowd support during the really hard 16-26 mile points where you usually need it the most. Some tips from a lifelong Duluthian: 1) stay at the dorms at UMD, and reserve them early. Call UMD during the school year and ask how early you can reserve them. Look on Craigslist for other runners looking to rent out a room in their house for the day, etc - that's how most repeat runners avoid the whole hotel thing - if you're from Minneapolis, this isn't the weekend to drag all the kids and family along with you. This way, you don't need the hotels, the pool, the expense of the meals, etc. if you come alone or with a friend and stay with another runner for that night and head home the next day.

The finishers medals are terrific. The shirts are terrible - they are 1996 quality cotton shirts that I wear for maybe a week and then stick in a plastic bag and tuck away as a way to remember the race for that year. Again - this relates to how many people you bring to Duluth for the race - the finisher area is chaos - it's in Canal Park which has only one way out really - the way I do it is I meet my friend at Miller Dwan Medical Center (402 E 2nd St) they have a fitness center where you can shower, get changed, and get the heck out of there. It's about a six block walk up the lakewalk and up the hill, but it's SO much easier to meet people along 2nd St rather than sit in Canal Park and downtown traffic which moves one block per 30 minutes. Arrange these things beforehand, I guarantee you will have a much, much better experience in Duluth next time. If you have any other questions - feel free to ask because I've done many Grandma's Marathons and I learn something new each year!"

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2009

Lisa O.
Malibu, CA

  (07-17-2009)

"I loved this race. The organization was excellent! Everything went smoothly from the expo to the bus ride to bathrooms along the course to the finish line. The medals are some of the best I have ever seen. My only suggestion would to have more water stops along the first half of the course - it would have been fine but it was hot that day! Ice at all the water stops was outstanding - and a lifesaver. The sponges were great as well. Volunteers did a fantastic job! The spaghetti dinner at the expo was actually really good! I would definitely eat there again. It was a convenient option. The fans along the course were also great. I loved their strong MN accent..."Goooooo, runners, gooooo!" I can't say enough good things about this race. I even love the name...Grandma's:) "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Joe H.
Maplewood, MN

  (06-22-2009)

"Great race, well organized, unique balance of woods, Lake Superior, many rivers, small town charm, great spectator participation. Not the easiest, not the most difficult track. Neat history of race, also...bunch of runners in 1970's decided they wanted to run a marathon. City laughed at them when they were asked to help with traffic control, so runners decided to try and do that on their own. Now race is one of the largest in the country.
2009 was an extremely hot race, 68 degrees at start with a lot of sun and no breeze. Duluth and race organizers did a great job with ample water stations and plenty of medical. Hats off to Scott Keenan and city of Duluth. See you next year for my 6th!"

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2009

libgyrl .
minneapolis, MN

  (05-27-2009)

"Oh it is blasphemy, I fear, to be a MN runner who doesn't like Grandma's - and now it is set in internet stone. The course is so flat and straight. 20 some miles pass with only intermittent views of Lake Superior. The sun is entirely overhead (don't forget sunscreen on your calves!). And while the train starting off before the cannon to signal "we're off" is the coolest start ever, it can't make up for the hours of utter boredom to follow.

It is usually humid and often enough hot. The hotels raise their prices and require 2 or sometimes even 3 night minimums. Staying in the dorms of the UMD campus isn't a steal but is cheaper and there are direct shuttles to and from on race day. Traffic driving in from the Twin Cities can be a real and well all this for a sunburn, a cotton t-shirt, and seeing a city I've been to a bunch already.

The expo is busy with many vendors and I'll give the organizers credit for EXTREMELY well marked and organized aid stations. I love the high up balloons for mile markers! Oh and I do also love the mint bon bon ice cream and Old Dutch potato chips at the end.

All this said, I really enjoyed running the Bjorkland Half Marathon that happens the same day (and presently not an option on racevine). You get about 7 miles of the quieter, scenic country road running (a reasonable amount for my taste) and then all the thrilling excitement of coming into the city where the town has (almost) all come out to cheer you onto the finish at the harbor. The half I can recommend course wise. I'd run it again. Sadly, you run (ahem) into the same travel negatives as with the full.

Don't get me wrong, I am glad I've run Grandma's. I just probably won't do it again as long as there are so many other cities to visit and courses to try out."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2007

Jeremiah S.
San Francisco, CA

  (04-23-2009)

"Growing up in MN and often driving along the course, this was a childhood dream come true. But, after training the Bay Area now, I'm really not used to the heat and humidity of the midwest. The course is point to point along the North Shore of Lake Superior. I was imagining great views, but the course is actually quite wooded. The best part is the number of people racing, and the large number of supporters on the course. Running through downtown Duluth at the end is great, but the last 2 mile detour really tricks you!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2008