Grandmas Marathon Reviews

  Very Disappointing - did not live up to its hype

By Craig about 2024

Review

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.

Race Tips

Find another marathon.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Find a friend who has a summer home/ cottage in the area.

  The organizers might be overwhelmed

By Han Zhang about 2024

Review

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…

Race Tips

Book hotel early.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

More bus and planning well for gear check

  Great marathon with a couple drawbacks

By HB about 2023

Review

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

Race Tips

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

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

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

  Amazing views ands support

By KB about 2022

Review

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.

Race Tips

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.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

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

By TEM about 2018

Review

Well organized race with great support. With favorable weather this is fast.

Race Tips

The train ride up to the start was nice. Long wait for portapotties.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Get hotel reservations early.

  Well organized and great crowd support

By DF about 2018

Review

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.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Book hotels very early, they fill up fast!

  Beautiful course, well organized.

By JJ about 2017

Review

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.

Race Tips

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.

  You can't beat the views

By JB about 2017

Review

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.

Race Tips

Take the train to the start. There are plenty of seats and bathrooms on the train. Worth getting up early to catch.

  The course is flat and very fast

By JDN about 2017

Review

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!

Race Tips

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.

  Well organized, coordinated marathon

By SBC about 2017

Review

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!

Race Tips

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.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

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.

  Save energy for Lemon Drop Hill

By Callie about 2016

Review

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.

Race Tips

Save energy for Lemon Drop Hill (mile 22). Many runners hit a wall at that point of the race.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

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.

  

By SW about 2016

  

By Mark Snell about 2016

Review

Lake Superior view during all of the race!!!

Race Tips

Great Community Support! !!

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Hotels are booked 1 year in advance.

  

By Anonymous about 2016

  

By SC about 2016

  

By HW about 2016

Review

The race course is just beautiful! How can you beat the view of Lake Superior!

Race Tips

Get hotel and race bib early! Race fills up fast.

  

By tp about 2014

Review

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.

Race Tips

It's not a flat course, but it is a fast course. Several inclines but the declines that follow make up for it.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Book your hotel early!!! It's very expensive to fly into Duluth and stay there, so plan ahead or consider flying into Minneapolis.

  

By Herb Dillon about 2014

Review

Best medical and support for its size town.

Race Tips

At your pace-refresh frequently and enjoy the scenery.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Reserve early-canal park congested so make specific hook up plans post race-

  

By Anonymous about 2014

Review

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.

  

By Anonymous about 2014

  North Shore

By MHT about 2011

Review

Great location, great support, beautiful course, flat and fast, great finish line

Race Tips

Pretty flat

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Make your lodging accommodations well in advance. Stay in Two Harbors at the start