Grandma's Marathon 2027: Dates,Course & Race Guide

Grandma's Marathon, sometimes searched as grandmas marathon, draws runners to Duluth, Minnesota every June for one of the most scenic 26.2-mile courses in the country. You run alongside Lake Superior for most of the race, then finish in front of a roaring crowd in Canal Park.

This guide covers the race date, the Duluth course, registration rules, the half marathon option, and how to train and fuel for race day. You get the full picture in one place, whether this is your first Grandma's or your fifth.

Quick Facts

What Is Grandma's Marathon and Why Is It Called That?

Grandma's Marathon is an annual road race that runs from Two Harbors to Duluth, Minnesota, along the shore of Lake Superior. The race began in 1977 with 150 runners and has grown into one of the ten largest marathons in the United States, with about 20,000 participants across race weekends.

The name comes from its first sponsor. Local running club members needed $600 to fund the first race in 1977. A new restaurant in Duluth's Canal Park, Grandma's Saloon and Deli, was the only business willing to give the full amount. Organizers named the race after the restaurant as a thank-you, and the name has stuck for nearly five decades.

When Is Grandma's Marathon?

If you're asking when is the Grandma's Marathon this year, the race takes place on the third Saturday of June each year. The Grandmas Marathon date for 2027 falls on Saturday, June 19, 2027. Race weekend runs Friday through Sunday and includes the William A. Irvin 5K on Friday, plus the marathon and half marathon on Saturday. For more Detail Visit Official Grandma's Marathon site.

Where Is Grandma's Marathon Held?

Grandma's Marathon starts near Two Harbors, Minnesota, and finishes in Duluth's Canal Park, right next to the Aerial Lift Bridge. The course follows Scenic Highway 61 along the north shore of Lake Superior for most of its length before entering downtown Duluth in the final miles.

The Grandma's Marathon Duluth finish area sits in Canal Park, walking distance from downtown hotels and restaurants. Duluth, Minnesota sits about 150 miles north of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Most runners fly into the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and drive north, or fly directly into the smaller Duluth International Airport.

Grandma's Marathon Route and Course Map

The course runs point-to-point along the North Shore of Lake Superior, from just outside Two Harbors into downtown Duluth. You get consistent water views for nearly 20 miles before the course turns inland toward the finish.

Start Line and Start Time

The Grandmas Marathon start line sits along Scenic Highway 61, outside Two Harbors. Race organizers run shuttle buses to the start line, since it is not reachable by personal vehicle. Buses typically drop runners off 30 or more minutes before the gun, so dress in layers you can shed.

The Grandmas Marathon start time is 7:45 a.m. The Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon starts separately at 6:15 a.m. from the course's halfway point, just outside Duluth's city limits.

Mile-by-Mile Course Breakdown

• Miles 1 to 14: Rolling terrain along Scenic Highway 61, with steady Lake Superior views and light spectator support.
• Miles 14 to 20: The half marathon joins the course here, and crowd support builds through neighborhoods like Lakeside.
• Miles 20 to 22: A gradual climb builds toward the course's most talked-about feature.
• Mile 22: Lemon Drop Hill, a short but steep rise that catches tired legs off guard.
• Miles 23 to 26.2: A downhill drop into downtown Duluth, followed by a flat finish along the water into Canal Park.

Is Grandma's Marathon Course Hilly?

Grandmas marathon is marketed as a fast, largely flat course, and the numbers back that up. Total elevation gain sits around 450 to 480 feet over 26.2 miles, with a net downhill finish.

That said, the course is not pancake-flat. You will feel rolling hills through the first 14 miles, and the one climb every runner talks about is Lemon Drop Hill at mile 22. It is short, roughly a third of a mile, but it arrives when your legs are already fatigued.

Grandma's Half Marathon: The Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon

The grandmas half marathon, officially called the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon, covers the second half of the full marathon course. It starts at 6:15 a.m. near the edge of Duluth and finishes at the same Canal Park finish line.

The half marathon is named after Garry Bjorklund, a 1976 Olympian who won the first Grandma's Marathon in 1977. It is a popular option for runners who want the North Shore scenery and Duluth finish-line energy without the full 26.2-mile distance. This race routinely sells out faster than the full marathon.

Is Grandma's Marathon Good for First-Time Runners?

Grandma's Marathon suits first-time marathoners well. The net-downhill, largely flat profile makes it approachable, and the point-to-point layout keeps the scenery changing so the miles pass more easily.

A few things first-timers should plan for:

• Weather swings. June weather on Lake Superior can range from 40 degrees to 80 degrees, sometimes within the same race.
• Limited early crowd support. The first 14 miles run through rural stretches with fewer spectators than the Duluth finish.
• Lemon Drop Hill. Mentally prepare for a climb at mile 22, not mile 1.
• Transportation logistics. Plan your shuttle bus timing well in advance since the start line has no parking.

How to Train for Grandma's Marathon

1. Build your base with a 16 to 20 week plan. Most first-time marathoners need at least four months of structured training to build the mileage safely.
2. Add weekly long runs with rolling terrain. Simulate the course by including hills in at least one long run per week, especially in the final month before race day.
3. Practice your race-day fueling early. Test gels, sports drinks, and hydration timing on long training runs so nothing on race day is new to your body.
4. Include hill repeats late in a run. Since Lemon Drop Hill hits at mile 22, train your legs to climb while fatigued, not just when fresh.
5. Taper properly in the final three weeks. Reduce mileage while keeping some intensity, so you arrive at the start line rested and sharp.

Fueling Strategy for Race Day

Marathon nutrition matters as much as your training miles. Follow these steps for race week:

• Hydrate early. Mayo Clinic sports medicine specialists recommend you start drinking fluids at least four hours before exercise for proper absorption.
• Fuel during the race. Mayo Clinic dietitians recommend 30 to 60 grams of carbohydrates per hour once you pass the 60-minute mark.
• Load carbohydrates two to three days out. This tops off your glycogen stores before race morning.
• Take a nitrate shot two to three hours before your start time. A PubMed systematic review found a moderate benefit for time-to-exhaustion performance from nitrate supplementation.
• Test your fueling plan on training runs. Never try a new gel, drink, or shot for the first time on race day.

Grandma's Marathon Registration and Logistics

Registration for Grandmas Marathon opens October 1 each year, and both the full marathon and half marathon have sold out within weeks in recent years. Prices increase at set dates through the spring, so early registration saves money.

Registration Timeline

• Registration opens: October 1
• Price increases: October 16, January 1, and April 1
• Registration and bib transfer deadline: May 1
• Bib number email: early June

Grandma's Marathon Bib Transfer

If you can no longer race, Grandmas Marathon allows bib transfers through its official Race Roster platform. The transfer carries a $26.95 fee, paid by the person receiving the entry, and all transfers must be completed by May 1. Running under someone else's bib without an official transfer results in disqualification.

Lodging for Grandma's Marathon

Duluth hotels book up quickly for race weekend, often a year in advance for properties near Canal Park. Book your room as soon as you register, and consider staying along the course route in towns like Two Harbors or Knife River if downtown Duluth is sold out. Many runners also look at nearby Superior, Wisconsin, for additional lodging options within a short drive of the finish.

Grandma's Marathon Results and Tracking

Grandma's Marathon tracking and official results are available through the race's Race Roster results page during and after the event. The built-in grandmas marathon tracker lets you search by bib number or runner name to follow a specific participant's progress at key checkpoints along the course.

To track a runner on race day:

1. Visit the official results and tracking page linked from grandmasmarathon.com.
2. Search by the runner's name or bib number.
3. Follow live splits as they pass timing checkpoints along the course.
4. Check back after the finish for official chip-timed results.

Full results typically post within a day or two of the race, broken down by age group, gender, and overall finish time.

Why Run Grandma's Marathon?

Grandma's Marathon has earned its reputation as one of the best-loved marathons in the country for a few clear reasons.

• Scenery. Nearly 20 miles run alongside Lake Superior, one of the most photographed marathon backdrops in the United States.
• Community support. Duluth treats race weekend as its unofficial start of summer, with thousands of volunteers and spectators along the route.
• A fast course. The net-downhill profile makes it a strong option for runners chasing a personal best or a Boston Qualifier.
• Race weekend variety. Between the marathon, half marathon, and 5K, runners of different experience levels can all take part.

Key Takeaways

• Grandma's Marathon 2027 takes place on Saturday, June 19, in Duluth, Minnesota.
• The course runs point-to-point from Two Harbors to Canal Park, with a net downhill profile and one notable climb at Lemon Drop Hill, mile 22.
• The Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon covers the second half of the course and often sells out fast.
• Registration opens October 1, with bib transfers allowed.
• Book Duluth lodging early, since race weekend fills hotels across the region.
• Test your race-day fueling strategy, including carbohydrate intake and nitrate timing, well before race day.

Conclusion

Grandma's Marathon combines a fast, scenic course with one of the most supportive running communities in the country. Whether you are chasing a personal best or running your first 26.2 miles, the North Shore views and Canal Park finish make the training worth it.

Frequently Asked Questions