Grandma's Marathon
Race Day Weather
Cool start, warmer finish ahead
Runners will face a steady temperature increase from 56°F at the start line to 70°F at the finish, with a flat course profile. Light winds from the SW will create a crosswind throughout, with a headwind noted in Mile 27. With humidity at 69%, pacing adjustments may be necessary as temperatures rise, especially in the final miles, to maintain performance and hydration.
The finish is 24 miles from the start, so we look at it at 2 points, not just the start line. In a typical year, at 9:00/mi, you start at 57° and finish around 11:40 AM in 70°; typical start-line conditions say 61° then.
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Race Info
Grandma's Marathon is an annual road race held each June in Duluth, Minnesota, in the United States. The course runs point-to-point from the city of Two Harbors on Scenic Route 61 and continues along Lake Superior into the city of Duluth. The finish is located in Canal Park, near Grandma's Restaurant, which is next to the highly visible Aerial Lift Bridge. Wikipedia
Race weekend
Race Day Tips
Plan to arrive early for the race to navigate the crowded start area, especially since many runners reported chaos in the first mile due to the mass start. This will give you time to find your corral and avoid weaving through slower runners.
Be prepared for the rolling hills in the first half of the race, particularly the gradual uphill after Lemon Drop Hill at mile 22, which can be deceptive after the downhill sections. Conserve energy early to tackle this stretch effectively.
Consider starting conservatively and aim to pick up the pace after mile 18 as you enter Duluth, where the crowd support intensifies. Many runners found this strategy effective for maintaining energy and motivation in the final miles.
Aid stations typically serve water and Gatorade, so practice with these drinks during training to avoid surprises on race day. Some runners also mentioned the availability of bananas and orange slices, which can be beneficial for fueling in the later miles.
Plan to arrive early for the race to navigate the crowded start area, especially since many runners reported chaos in the first mile due to the mass start. This will give you time to find your corral and avoid weaving through slower runners.
Be prepared for the rolling hills in the first half of the race, particularly the gradual uphill after Lemon Drop Hill at mile 22, which can be deceptive after the downhill sections. Conserve energy early to tackle this stretch effectively.
Consider starting conservatively and aim to pick up the pace after mile 18 as you enter Duluth, where the crowd support intensifies. Many runners found this strategy effective for maintaining energy and motivation in the final miles.
Aid stations typically serve water and Gatorade, so practice with these drinks during training to avoid surprises on race day. Some runners also mentioned the availability of bananas and orange slices, which can be beneficial for fueling in the later miles.
Tips from runner race reports
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When is the 2027 Grandma's Marathon?
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Reviews & Race Reports
Heat can crush your race. Enjoy the stunning views and crowd support, but pace yourself wisely.
Heat Management — Several runners struggled with heat, especially in the second half. Many reported dehydration and cramping after mile 19, leading to a tough finish.
Crowd Support — The energy from the crowd is a game changer. Reports highlight how the cheers, especially around mile 20, helped push through tough moments.
Course Scenery — Almost every runner marveled at the beautiful views along the North Shore. The scenic backdrop kept spirits high, even when the going got tough.
Pacing Strategy — Many runners emphasized the importance of starting conservatively. Going out too fast can lead to struggles later, especially when the heat kicks in around mile 19.
Enjoyed stunning views and crowd support, felt strong to the finish
I realized I was having fun, and the views were amazing so I couldn't stop smiling through this whole stretch! I grabbed water at every aid station every 2 miles and got a couple sips in, I took gels at miles 15 and 19. My stomach felt a little heavy at this point but nothing that made me worried and I started to pick it up going into mile 20.
Formed a pack with fellow runners, enjoyed crowd energy despite rain.
The race started and instantly someone tripped, luckily most people avoided them and there wasn't a stampede. I tried to stay calm and stick to my plan of not going faster than 6:30 until the last 10K then seeing what I had left. When people began settling into their paces I asked around and found two other guys with similar goals and formed a pack while joking about the 6:51 pacer who sprinted by at what must've been 6:15 pace.
Lost in the beauty of the course, achieved a massive PR
I can't reiterate how gorgeous this race is. I frequently would close my eyes and smile. Feeling the pace, feeling the beautiful breeze off the lake, the amazing smells. I lost myself in the race.
Overcame early anxiety to maintain pace and enjoy the race
The first 10 miles just flew by. I did not feel the "rolling hill" at all, probably because my training was mostly done on "rollier" hills. It still felt like easy pace for me, unlike anything at all compared to the first race. I had to try hard to follow the tangent, as with a crowd I can't read ahead anymore.
Fell behind the 3hr pacer but held strong for a sub-3 finish
At the start of the race, my plan was to stay with the 3hr pacer until mile 18-20 then kick up the pace once we were in Duluth proper. The plan was going well until ~9.5 miles in. There is a solid downhill and I ended up getting a bit ahead of the group. I tried to pace mile 10 conservatively (6:55) to allow them to catch up, but they were still 20 yards behind me.