Grandma’s Marathon – 2025 Registration & 2024 Results
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| Duluth, Minnesota, USA | June 20-21, 2025 | Registration Closed |
Inaugurated in 1977, the Grandma’s Marathon is an annual event held in Duluth, North Minnesota. The event, initially started by a local group of runners, has grown from 150 participants its first year to over 20,000 participants across various races offered during the 2 day event. It is one of the largest and best-known marathons in the United States offering world class event along with small town charm
The event offers 3 main races – The Grandma’s Marathon, the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon and William A. Irvin 5K. There are various short races for kids also.
The most popular event is the Half Marathon named after the first-ever marathon champion and Olympian Garry Bjorklund, This race was introduced in 1991 and is so widely popular that it is usually sold out shortly after registration opens.
The last event is the 5K which is actually the kickoff race to the 2 day event. Initiated in 1994, it is named after the historic William A. Irvin ore boat in Duluth’s Canal Park where the 5K race starts and finishes.
Book Your Stay Near Race Ending Point
Grandma’s Marathon
Race Categories, Dates, Registration, Eligibility & Fees
| Full Marathon | Half Marathon | 5K | Whipper Snapper races | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distance | 42.2km | 21.1km | 5km | Various distances^ |
| Race Date | June 21, 2025 | June 21, 2025 | June 20, 2025 | June 20, 2025 |
| Start Time | 7:35 am onwards*** | 5:50 am onwards*** | 1:00 pm | 2:00 pm |
| Eligibility Criterion | 12 years & above | 12 years & above | No age criterion | 14 years & under |
| Fees **– Live event | $130 & Up | $120 & Up | $45 & Up | Free |
| Challenges | Full Great Grandma’s Challenge (5K+FM): $205 & Up Half Great Grandma’s Challenge (5K+HM): $195 & Up |
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| Fees– Virtual | $120 | $110 | $40 | — |
| Registration | Registration closed | Registration closed | Registration closed | Registration closed # |
| Expo Details | Venue: DECC Arena, Duluth Entertainment & Convention Center (DECC), 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth Date & Timings: June 19 (4pm-8pm) and June 20 (10am- 11pm) |
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** Prices for the live event are time sensitive and will increase closer to race date.
*** Different race start timings as per category
^ Various race distances as per age category
^^ Challenges, Corporate teams and Charity entries are also available
# Whipper Snapper Race On-The-Spot registration also available on race day
Route / Course Map
Information about the course maps & other details for the Grandma’s Marathon 2025 is detailed below.
| Full Marathon/ Half Marathon | 5K | |
|---|---|---|
| Course Map | FM / HM Course Map | 5K Course Map – TBD |
| Course Map | FM / HM Video Course Map | — |
The Grandma’s Marathon has a mix of races – The Full Marathon and the Half Marathon route are POINT to POINT races while the 5K and Whipper Snapper races have an OUT & BACK courses with the below mentioned Start and Finish points:
| Start Point | Finish Point | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Marathon | South of Two Harbors, MN on Old Scenic Highway 61. | Duluth’s Canal Park |
| Half Marathon | Old Scenic Highway 61, North of McQuade Safe Harbor. | Duluth’s Canal Park |
| 5K * | DECC, Harbour Drive, Duluth, MN | Bayfront Festival Park, Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN |
| Whipper Snapper Races | Bayfront Festival Park, Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN | Bayfront Festival Park, Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN |
* The 5K Race route might change in 2025. The above Start and End points are from 2024 event
Prize Money
Information about the prizes/ awards for the Grandma’s Marathon 2025 is given below.
| Marathon | Half Marathon | 5K | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open division | Top 10 | Top 10 | Top 10 |
| 12 & Under | — | — | Only 1st |
| Ages 12-18 (*ages 13-19 for 5K) | Only 1st | Only 1st | Only 1st* |
| Ages 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74 (*ages 70-74 for 5K 🡪 only Top 2) | Top 3 | Top 3 | Top 3* |
| Ages 75-79 | Top 2 | Top 2 | Top 2 |
| Ages 80+ | Only 1st | Only 1st | Only 1st |
| Wheelchair Division | Top 5 | — | — |
| Non Binary | Top 3 | Top 3 | Top 3 |
| Local runner | Only 1st | Only 1st | — |
| Minnesotan | Only 1st | Only 1st | — |
| Grandmother (only women) | Only 1st | — | — |
Points to Note for Prize Purse
- Awards are equal for Male and Female participants
- 19-34 age group awards are included in the Open category.
- Per USATF rules, gun time will be used to determine prize money and incentive bonuses. Chip time will be used to determine all age-group winners and other award recipients.
- Non-binary athletes are not eligible for overall men’s and women’s prize packages.
2024 and Earlier Edition Results
Results
Photos
Important Points
- Race Slots: There are limited number of slots for each race capacity- as mentioned below
- Full Marathon: 9000 participants
- Half Marathon: 8000 participants
- 5K: 1500 participants
- Full Great Grandma’s Challenge: 500 participants
- Half Great Grandma’s Challenge 700 participants
- Race registration is transferable to another distance as well as another person. Conditions apply
- Entry deferments are not permitted under any circumstances.
- Refunds: Entry fees are non-refundable. The only exception to this is for those who are active military duty and deployed for service during race weekend (a copy of deployment orders is required).
- Elite Athletes : You can apply by sending running resume any time after January 1 to our Elite Athlete & Administration Director Sarah Culver via email at sarah@grandmasmarathon.com. Get more Information about Elite Athletes Application here. Also check Qualifying Standards for Full Marathon here and Qualifying Standards for Half Marathon here
- Bib collection: Someone else can pick up race packet on participant’s behalf. They would need to complete the authorization (found at the bottom of official bib number email coming in early June), and have someone else bring the printed, authorized confirmation to race packet pickup.
- Parking: There is no parking at the starting line of either Grandma’s Marathon or the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. Each participant is required to use the provided bus or train transportation to the starting line.
- Pacers are available for both Full Marathon and Half Marathon (no pacers for the 5K)
- Aid stations: There would be aid stations located along the course providing water and Powerade Ion4 washroom and medical facilities. Fuel and fruits would be available at limited aid stations
- Live tracking: A free mobile app is available to aid both runners & spectators to track your favourite runners
- Next race is June 22, 2024
- Time limit applicable on the course for after which the course is thrown open to normal traffic
– Full Marathon –7 hrs
– Half marathon- 3 hrs
– 5K- 1 hr
Contact Information
- Email: grandmas@grandmasmarathon.com
- Office address: 351 Canal Park Drive, Duluth, MN 55802
- Mailing address: PO Box 16234, Duluth, MN 55816
- Phone: (218) 727-0947
- Website: https://grandmasmarathon.com/
