Grandma’s Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K

Saturday, June 22, 2024 • Duluth, MN • Course Map

The crystal blue waters of Lake Superior form the backdrop for your run along the entire race route of the Grandma’s Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K, which takes runners along the gently rolling hills of Old Highway 61 between the cities of Two Harbors and Duluth, Minnesota.

Now in its 48th year, and the 33rd for the event’s Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon, this race offers the feel of a big-city running event in a smaller city, complete with thousands of spectators and fellow competitors and live music for entertainment along the course.

For the half-marathon course, like the full 26.2-mile marathon course, this point-to-point race follows a virtual straight shot starting at the 13.1-mile marker of the full and running along the same course all the way to the finish at Canal Park.

The course is made up entirely of paved surfaces and features a mixture of flat stretches and light hills, with the largest incline of the race at mile 9 (mile 22 for the full marathon participants).

Garry Bjorklund, a Duluth native, was named the honoree for the event at its inception in 1990 to recognize his contributions to the world of long distance running.

Twice champion of the Grandma’s Marathon (in 1977 and 1980) and an Olympic runner in the 1976 summer games, Bjorklund has been a longtime star and important player in spreading the popularity of running throughout Minnesota and the surrounding region.

When you come to run in the half at the Grandma’s Marathon, expect a crowd — you’ll be running alongside more than 7,000 fellow half marathon participants (the half marathon race is limited to 7,500 participants) and about 9,000 runners in the full marathon.

The event is open to walkers as well as runners, and the half marathon race begins at 6:15 AM.

Grandma's Marathon straightaway in Duluth, MN Grandma's Marathon starting line in Duluth, MN Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, MN

Race Weather & Climate

With its usually moderately warm summers and often bitterly cold winters, the Duluth area sees what are typically ideal weather conditions for a road race in late June, a month that has brought record temperatures as low as 30 degrees (in 1995) and as high as 91 degrees (in 2002).

On race day (June 22), the average low is 49ºF and the average high is 68ºF.

Past Results

Grandma’s Marathon Course Map

See the race route map for the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon here.

Starting Time

6:00 AM for Grandma’s Marathon

7:45 AM for Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon

Fees

see race website

Grandma’s Marathon Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2024 running of Duluth’s Grandma’s Marathon, Half Marathon, or 5K race, register online at the event website here.

Grandma’s Marathon Official Race Website

grandmasmarathon.com

See more races in: June, Minnesota

When is Grandma’s Marathon 2024?

The marathon is on June 22, 2024 in Duluth, Minnesota.

Is Grandma’s Marathon hilly?

The marathon course is relatively flat and is touted as a fast, rolling flat course. From the starting elevation of 740 feet, the course ends at 610 feet of elevation above sea level.

How many runners in Grandma’s Marathon?

Over 7,000 runners participate annually in Grandma’s Marathon.

3 comments… add one
  • Catrina June 4, 2022, 10:21 pm

    I am coming from Cincinnati as an athletic supporter for my friends doing the 1/2. Is there a good spot along the course that I can park and support. Thanks.

    Reply
  • Lill Erickson June 17, 2016, 12:46 am

    Where does the half marathon end and about what time!?

    Reply
  • Sharon Smith June 16, 2016, 9:15 pm

    I have still not received any confirmation ???
    Sharon Smith 14020 Gilbride Road Fowler Ontario P7G0C2

    Reply

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