Photo: © Grandma's Marathon▶Grandma's Marathon
Duluth, United Statessince 1977Choose the distanceTap a distance: the course, fees, times and rules below update for that race.
At a glance
Grandma's Marathon 2027 takes place on 18 June 2027 – 19 June 2027 in Duluth, United States. Distances: 42.195 km, 21.098 km, 5 km. Start at 07:45 from Old Scenic Highway 61 (Two Harbors).
- Date
- Friday, 18 June 2027 – Saturday, 19 June 2027
- Location
- Duluth, United States
- Start
- Old Scenic Highway 61 (Two Harbors)
- Finish
- Canal Park, Duluth
- Distances
- Marathon · 42.195 km · Competitive
- Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon · 21.098 km · Competitive
- William A. Irvin 5K · Competitive
- Start times
- 07:45
- Registration
- Sold out
- Official website
- grandmasmarathon.com ↗
- Edition
- since 1977
Last updated: 18 October 2026
The race
Grandma's Marathon has been run since 1977 along the shores of Lake Superior in north-eastern Minnesota. The 2027 edition is on Saturday 19 June: it starts just south of Two Harbors on Old Scenic Highway 61 and finishes 26.2 miles later in Canal Park, in the heart of Duluth.
The course is relatively flat and fast and lined by tens of thousands of spectators. Each year more than 20,000 participants come from over 50 countries, and the event is regarded as one of the best organised in the United States.
The Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon, arguably the weekend's most popular race, is held the same day, while on Friday 18 June the William A. Irvin 5K starts and finishes near the historic ore boat in Canal Park. The weekend also includes the Fitness Expo, the traditional Spaghetti Dinner and a music festival.
For 2027 the marathon and half are sold out: charity places and official bib transfers remain.
Videos
Course
From Two Harbors to Duluth
The marathon is a point-to-point course. The start is on Old Scenic Highway 61, just south of Two Harbors, among the woods of northern Minnesota; the half starts on the same road, just north of McQuade Safe Harbor.
The route follows the shore of Lake Superior to the city limits, where thousands of spectators carry runners to the finish in Canal Park, Duluth.
Getting to the start
The start can only be reached by official bus or train: individual drop-offs are not allowed. Marathoners can also take the North Shore Scenic Railroad. Gear bags go in the numbered containers near the corral entrance.
Start waves (2026 information)
- 7:35 wheelchair and adaptive
- 7:40 elite men, 7:45 elite women and Corral A
- 8:00 Corral B, 8:10 Corral C
After the race, free shuttle buses run from 8:00 to 15:30.
Rules and requirements
Who can take part
- Marathon and half: at least 12 years old on race day.
- William A. Irvin 5K: at least 6 years old.
- No qualifying time.
- For 2027 the marathon and half are sold out; entry is via official charities or a transferred bib.
2027 deadlines
- Registration closes: 1 May (as space allows).
- Bib transfers: by 1 May.
- Switch to the virtual race: by 1 June.
- Fee increases on 6 October, 1 November and 1 April.
Bib transfers
Only through Race Roster: the person receiving the bib pays the current fee plus a $26.95 transaction fee, and the original registrant is refunded the fee paid (less processing). No transfers after 1 May. Extra purchases (apparel, dinner, photos) do not transfer.
Switching races
You can switch to another race of the weekend, if space allows, until 1 May.
